RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Management of chronic Achilles tendinopathy
JF Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin
JO Drug Ther Bull
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 93
OP 96
DO 10.1136/dtb.2012.08.0124
VO 50
IS 8
YR 2012
UL http://dtb.bmj.com/content/50/8/93.abstract
AB Tendons transmit force between muscles and bones and, when stretched, store elastic energy that contributes to movement.1 The tendinous portion of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles merge to form the Achilles tendon, which is the largest and strongest in the body, but one of the most frequently injured.2,3 Conservative management options for chronic Achilles tendinopathy include eccentric (lengthening) exercises, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), topical nitroglycerin, low level laser therapy, orthoses, splints or injections (e.g. corticosteroids, hyperosmolar dextrose, polidocanol, platelet-rich plasma), while a minority of patients require surgery (using open, percutaneous or endoscopic methods).4–8 Here we assess the management options for patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy (lasting over 6 weeks).