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Comparative Effects of Laser and Extracorpeal Shock Wave in Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy.

No phase Interventional Achilles Tendinopathy

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Laser, Extracorporeal shock wave therapy protocol.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Achilles Tendinopathy. Basic parameters: 18 years — 40 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Pakistan
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Official title

Comparative Effects of Laser and Extracorpeal Shock Wave Therapy on Pain, Range of Motion and Function in Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy.

Overview

Achilles tendinopathy is a prevalent condition characterized by pain, swelling, and impaired function of the Achilles tendon, commonly affecting athletes and active individuals. The disorder arises from a failed healing response, leading to degenerative changes in the tendon without significant inflammation. It is categorized into insertional (at the calcaneus-Achilles junction) and non-insertional (2-6 cm proximal to the insertion) types. Intrinsic risk factors include biomechanical abnormalities and systemic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, while extrinsic factors involve excessive mechanical load and training errors. Effective management of Achilles tendinopathy is crucial for preventing long-term disability and ensuring the continuation of physical activities.

Detailed description

This study is a randomized clinical trial aimed at comparing the effectiveness of laser therapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain, range of motion, and function in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. The trial will be conducted at Hameed Latif Hospital, Lahore, Punjab, over a duration of nine months. A total of 44 participants, aged 18-40, diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy and meeting specific inclusion criteria, will be randomly allocated into two groups using a lottery method. Group A will receive laser therapy, and Group B will undergo extracorporeal shock wave. Baseline and post-treatment measurements will be taken using the Visual Analogue Scale , Foot and Ankle Outcome Score , and goniometric measurements for range of motion. The data will be analyzed using SPSS software to evaluate the effectiveness of each treatment modality. For Group A, laser therapy will be administered using the Laser Therapy Unit, a class 3B laser with an 810-nm, 100-milliwatt infrared probe. The treatment will be applied to six standardized points around the Achilles tendon for 30 seconds each, providing a total dose of 18 joule per session. Group B will receive extracorporeal shock wave with each session involving 1500-3000 pulses at a frequency of 1-4 Hertz. Treatments will be conducted once a week for three weeks, with a one-week break between sessions. Both therapies aim to reduce pain and improve function by enhancing the healing processes of the damaged tendon.

Interventions

  • Other Laser
    The therapy system will be used the Thor DD Laser Therapy Unit. This will be a class 3B laser with an 810-nm, 100-mW infrared probe. Laser or placebo laser treatment protocols will be identical and will be delivered with the patients lying prone, with their foot over the end of the treatment plinth and the ankle plantar-grade. The contact method will be used to apply the laser treatment probe to 3 standardized points on both sides of the Achilles' tendon (6 in all: at the site of the lesion, 2cm
  • Other Extracorporeal shock wave therapy protocol
    When treating Achilles tendinopathy, most researchers will be used 3 sessions of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with a one-week break in between. There will also be shorter breaks of 3 to 4 days or longer 2-week breaks. The number of pulses per session will range from 800 to 3000, and the pulse frequency will be between 4 and 50 Hz.

Primary outcome measures

  • Numeric pain rating scale [Time frame: 4 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
  • Foot and ankle outcome [Time frame: 4 weeks]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Age of patients 18-40.
  • Diagnosed with chronic Achillis tendinopathy and NPRS rating more than 2.
  • Both male and female.
  • Patient must be diagnosed with Achillis Tendinopathy by single leg raise or Thompson test.

Exclusion criteria

  • contraindications to LLLT to the area of the Achilles tendon.
  • comorbid musculoskeletal or serious conditions that may have confounded treatment or anticipated recovery .
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use steroid injections or surgery for the condition; insertional tendinopathy or bursitis (retrocalcaneal or Achilles; determined by clinical examination.
  • neurologic signs; and adverse neural tension affecting the sciatic or sural nerve.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single blind
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

Pakistan · 1 center
  • Integrated Medical Care Hospital — Lahore

Publications

  • Maffulli N, Longo UG, Kadakia A, Spiezia F. Achilles tendinopathy. Foot Ankle Surg. 2020 Apr;26(3):240-249. doi: 10.1016/j.fas.2019.03.009. Epub 2019 Apr 18. PMID 31031150
  • Li HY, Hua YH. Achilles Tendinopathy: Current Concepts about the Basic Science and Clinical Treatments. Biomed Res Int. 2016;2016:6492597. doi: 10.1155/2016/6492597. Epub 2016 Nov 3. PMID 27885357
  • Fares MY, Khachfe HH, Salhab HA, Zbib J, Fares Y, Fares J. Achilles tendinopathy: Exploring injury characteristics and current treatment modalities. Foot (Edinb). 2021 Mar;46:101715. doi: 10.1016/j.foot.2020.101715. Epub 2020 Jul 6. PMID 33039245
  • von Rickenbach KJ, Borgstrom H, Tenforde A, Borg-Stein J, McInnis KC. Achilles Tendinopathy: Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Prevention. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2021 Jun 1;20(6):327-334. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000855. PMID 34099611
  • Wang Y, Zhou H, Nie Z, Cui S. Prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy in physical exercise: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med Health Sci. 2022 Mar 28;4(3):152-159. doi: 10.1016/j.smhs.2022.03.003. eCollection 2022 Sep. PMID 36090915
  • Silbernagel KG, Hanlon S, Sprague A. Current Clinical Concepts: Conservative Management of Achilles Tendinopathy. J Athl Train. 2020 May;55(5):438-447. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-356-19. Epub 2020 Apr 8. PMID 32267723
  • Xergia SA, Tsarbou C, Liveris NI, Hadjithoma Mu, Tzanetakou IP. Risk factors for Achilles tendon rupture: an updated systematic review. Phys Sportsmed. 2023 Dec;51(6):506-516. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2022.2085505. Epub 2022 Jun 10. PMID 35670156
  • van der Vlist AC, Winters M, Weir A, Ardern CL, Welton NJ, Caldwell DM, Verhaar JAN, de Vos RJ. Which treatment is most effective for patients with Achilles tendinopathy? A living systematic review with network meta-analysis of 29 randomised controlled trials. Br J Sports Med. 2021 Mar;55(5):249-256. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101872. Epub 2020 Jun 10. PMID 32522732

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06986759 · REC/RCR & AHS/24/0173

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗