Effects of short-term treatment strategies over 4 weeks in Achilles tendinopathy.

Mayer F, Hirschmüller A, Müller S, Schuberth M, Baur H        

The objective of this study was to analyse the efficacy of single therapeutic regimens commonly used over a short period of 4 weeks. 31 male runners with unilateral, untreated AT completed 4 weeks of either physiotherapy, wearing custom fit semirigid insoles or remained without treatment. Before and after treatment, all patients underwent a treadmill test and a plantar flexion strength exercise. Pain was reduced to <50% of the baseline value after physiotherapy or after wearing insoles. The authors concluded that most patients with AT experience a reduction in pain after only 4 weeks of differentiated, non-surgical treatment consisting of physiotherapy or semirigid insoles.

British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007, 41(7), e6

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