Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy and Platelet-Rich Plasma for Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Achilles Injuries Tendon, Achilles Tendinopathy (AT), Achilles Tendinitis, Left Leg, Achilles Tendinitis, Right Leg, Achilles Tendon Pain, Achilles Tendonitis

In brief

Midportion Achilles tendinopathy is a common cause of pain and functional limitation in both athletes and the general population. Progressive tendon loading programs are considered first-line treatment but do not lead to satisfactory outcomes in all patients. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are commonly used interventions for refractory symptoms, yet evidence supporting their combined use is limited particularly in treating Achilles tendon disorders. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized exercise program alone or in combination with PRP injection, ESWT, or both therapies in active adults with midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Participants will be randomized to one of four treatment groups and followed for six months. The primary outcome will assess changes in Achilles tendon symptoms and function using the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score. Secondary outcomes will include patient-reported outcomes, physical function testing, ultrasound tendon structure measures, and gait biomechanics.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07483320

Run by

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

People needed

100

Starts

2026-08-01

Expected to finish

2028-05-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-27

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18-65 years
• Diagnosis of unilateral midportion Achilles tendinopathy
• Symptoms present for more than 3 months
• VISA-A score <80 at baseline
• Pre-injury physical activity level ≥3 on the Physical Activity Scale
• Ability to participate in rehabilitation program

You may not qualify if…

• Symptoms present for less than 3 months
• Prior PRP injection or ESWT treatment to the Achilles tendon within 3 months
• Other lower extremity musculoskeletal injury affecting function
• Symptomatic arthritis affecting the ankle or foot
• Rheumatologic disease or connective tissue disorder
• Coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy affecting platelet function
• Neuropathy affecting pain perception
• Known cardiac condition contraindicating treatment
• Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c >9.0)
• Pregnancy

Where it is running

• Spaulding Cambridge Hospital — Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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