Evaluation of ECSWT treatment for Tendinopathy & Plantar Fasciosis V.2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A prospective clinical series investigating the effectiveness of Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ECSWT) in the management of chronic Achilles, Patella and Elbow Tendinopathy and Plantar Fasciosis.
IRAS ID
146063
Contact name
Peter Resteghini
Contact email
Research summary
Chronic tendon pain is often referred to as tendinopathy. Patients presenting with chronic tendinopathy have a limited range of treatment options available once conservative treatment in the form of rehabilitation has failed.
A number of studies have demonstrated that there is little evidence of inflammatory mediators in chronic tendon injuries despite the wide spread use of anti-inflammatory injections and oral medications.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECSWT) is a form of treatment used to treat chronic tendinopathies. ECSWT is a non-invasive treatment where acoustic shockwaves are passed through the skin and into an affected area at a set frequency using a hand-held applicator (NICE 2009). Despite NICE guidelines there is still dispute over its effectiveness, this being most notable in the heel region with published studies having led to inconsistent results.
In line with NICE recommendations the purpose of this study is to carry out a prospective clinical series using consecutive patients to provide a descriptive data set which will be used to investigate the effectiveness of ECSWT in the management of chronic Tendinopathies.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0304
Date of REC Opinion
4 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion