--- title: "Extracorporeal shock wave tx: chronic Achilles tendinopathy. | Sutter Health" description: "This article analysis the evidence-based literature of ESWT in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Recently published data have shown the efficacy of focused and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/extracorporeal-shock-wave-tx-achilles-tendinopathy-1055312410" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Extracorporeal shock wave tx: chronic Achilles tendinopathy. # Current evidence of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Gerdesmeyer L, Mittermayr R, Fuerst M, Al Muderis M, Thiele R, Saxena A, & Gollwitzer H. _Int J Surg. 24(Pt B):154-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.07.718. Epub 2015 Aug 29._ 2015-12-01 ## Abstract Chronic Achilles tendinopathy has been described as the most common overuse injury in sports medicine. Several treatment modalities such as activity modification, heel lifts, arch supports, stretching exercises, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and eccentric loading are known as standard treatment mostly without proven evidence. After failed conservative therapy, invasive treatment may be considered. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been successfully used in soft-tissue pathologies like lateral epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, tendinopathy of the shoulder and also in bone and skin disorders. Conclusive evidence recommending ESWT as a treatment for Achilles tendinopathy is still lacking. In plantar fasciitis as well as in calcific shoulder tendinopathy, shock wave therapy is recently the best evaluated treatment option. This article analysis the evidence-based literature of ESWT in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Recently published data have shown the efficacy of focused and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26327530) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Musculoskeletal Disorders](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Musculoskeletal+Disorders%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Osteotome technique for removal of symptomatic ear canal exostoses.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/osteotome-technique-remove-ear-canal-exostoses-1055312952) Hetzler DG. Laryngoscope. 117(1 Pt 2 suppl 113):1-14. 2007 Jan 01 - Publication ### [Lapidus arthrodesis.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/lapidus-arthrodesis-1055312388) Hyer CF, Saxena A, Didomenico L. J Foot Ankle Surg. 50(6):784-5; author reply 785. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2011.09.014. 2011 Nov 01 - Publication ### [Percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy for Achilles tendinopathy is a surgical procedure with similar complications.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/percutaneous-ultrasonic-tenotomy-for-achilles-tendinopathy-1055312483) Sanchez PJ, Grady JF, Saxena A. J Foot Ankle Surg. 56(5):982-984. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2017.06.015. 2017 Sep 01 - Publication ### [Association of short-term complications with procedures through separate incisions during total ankle replacement.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/short-term-complications-sep-incisions-tar-1055312445) Criswell B, Hunt K, Kim T, Chou L, Haskell A. 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Epub 2011 May 12. 2011 Jul 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/extracorporeal-shock-wave-tx-achilles-tendinopathy-1055312410#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Extracorporeal shock wave tx: chronic Achilles tendinopathy."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/extracorporeal-shock-wave-tx-achilles-tendinopathy-1055312410#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Current evidence of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in chronic Achilles tendinopathy.","headline":"Extracorporeal shock wave tx: chronic Achilles tendinopathy.","abstract":"Chronic Achilles tendinopathy has been described as the most common overuse injury in sports medicine. 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