Efficacy of Percutaneous Electrolysis in the Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy

Launched by MAIMONIDES UNIVERSITY · Mar 20, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new treatment for Achilles tendinopathy, which is a common condition that causes pain in the Achilles tendon, typically due to overuse. The researchers want to see if adding a technique called percutaneous electrolysis—where small electric currents are applied through a needle—can improve the results of a specific exercise program designed to strengthen the tendon. The goal is to see if this combined approach can help patients feel better and function better.

To participate in this trial, you should have had pain in one or both of your Achilles tendons for at least two months and experience moderate pain when the tendon is pressed. You will need to be willing to avoid other treatments for your tendon pain during the trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the active treatment or a placebo (a treatment that doesn't have the active ingredient) and will be followed up for a year to see how well the treatment works. This trial is currently recruiting participants of all genders aged between 18 and 65 who meet the eligibility criteria.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Presence of symptoms in one or both Achilles tendons with a minimum duration of two months. In case the symptoms are bilateral, the intervention or placebo will only be administered and its results evaluated- in the limb with greater symptomatology. If it is not possible to differentiate which one presents greater pain, the right Achilles tendon will be chosen.
• • Spontaneous pain of at least three points measured by a visual analog scale (VAS), reproducible by palpation between 2 and 6 cm above the insertion of the Achilles tendon in the calcaneal bone.
• • Evidence of tendinopathy by MRI.
• • Presence of post-static dyskinesia.
• • Willingness to not perform additional treatments (such as footwear modifications, physical therapy, orthotics, injections, or surgery) for Achilles tendon pain during the conduct of the trial.
• • Willingness to attempt to discontinue self-administration of medications (NSAIDs) for pain relief Achilles tendon(s) pain for at least 14 days prior to baseline assessment and during the course of the trial.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Presence or suspicion of pregnancy.
• • Previous surgical intervention on the AT in the symptomatic leg(s)
• • Total or partial rupture in the symptomatic AT
• • Chronic ankle instability, in the foot with symptomatic tendon(s).
• • Pathologies that can derive in pain in the region of the AT without being proper of the picture. (e.g.: osteoarthritis, impingement syndromes).
• • Presence of arthritis or any metabolic or endocrine disorder (type 1 or 2 diabetes).
• • Psychological disorders.
• • Oncologic history.
• • Treatment with quinolones or fluoroquinolones during the last two years.
• • Treatment with statins for the control of hypercholesterolemia for more than two months
• • Treatments within or at the periphery of the Achilles tendon, with anesthetics, corticosteroids or any other pharmacological agent during the last three months.
• • Needle phobia
• • Allergy to metal