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Shock wave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy

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Abstract

Achilles tendinopathy has been reported as the most common overuse injury in sports medicine clinics (Clement et al. Am J Sports Med 12: 179–184, 1984). Standard treatment regimens include activity modification, heel lifts, arch supports, stretching exercises, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and eccentric loading. There is a lack of consensus regarding treatment. Even so, most athletes will respond to this regimen. However, conservative management will prove to be inadequate for a subset of patients. When conservative therapy fails, other noninvasive treatment measures may be considered. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been used in soft-tissue disorders including lateral epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, and calcific tendonitis of the shoulder. Conclusive evidence recommending ESWT as a treatment for Achilles tendinopathy is lacking. This article explores the role of shock wave therapy in the management of recalcitrant Achilles tendinopathy in patients attempting to avoid an invasive intervention.

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  1. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29211, USA

    Michelle Wilson & Jason Stacy

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  1. Michelle Wilson
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  2. Jason Stacy
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Correspondence to Michelle Wilson.

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Wilson, M., Stacy, J. Shock wave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 4, 6–10 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-010-9067-2

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