Is wait and see a viable option for Achilles tendinopathy?

Peter Malliaras9th of April 2022home / blog / podcasts / is-wait-and-see-a-viable-option-for-achilles-tendinopathy

Will midportion Achilles pain improve if you wait and see? This is often a really important question to discuss with patients. Luckily we have some evidence to answer it which I explore in this short podcast (9 minutes). Hope you enjoy. 

Here are the related studies

1/ Horstmann, T., Jud, H.M., Fröhlich, V., Mündermann, A. and Grau, S., 2013. Whole-body vibration versus eccentric training or a wait-and-see approach for chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized clinical trial. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 43(11), pp.794-803.

2/ Rompe, J.D., Nafe, B., Furia, J.P. and Maffulli, N., 2007. Eccentric loading, shock-wave treatment, or a wait-and-see policy for tendinopathy of the main body of tendo Achillis: a randomized controlled trial. The American journal of sports medicine, 35(3), pp.374-383.

3/ de Vos, R.J., van der Vlist, A.C., Zwerver, J., Meuffels, D.E., Smithuis, F., van Ingen, R., van der Giesen, F., Visser, E., Balemans, A., Pols, M. and Veen, N., 2021. Dutch multidisciplinary guideline on Achilles tendinopathy. British journal of sports medicine, 55(20), pp.1125-1134.

Peter Malliaras
Tendinopathy Rehabilitation