The Achilles tendon diseases affect the Achilles tendon, the strongest tendon in our body that combines the muscles of the calf with the heel. Continuously subjected to significant biomechanical stress, the Achilles tendon may suffer injuries, which may be total or partial.
In patients with Achilles tendinopathy, in addition to the biomechanical aspect, it is necessary to consider the general health framework and investigate possible pathologies that may favor the onset of tendinopathy. In fact, we must not forget that the motto of a healthy tendon in a healthy body is worthwhile,” explains Dr. Cristina D’ Agostino, Head of the Humanitas Shock Wave therapy Centre.
In these patients “shockwaves are currently – as confirmed by the scientific literature – a very interesting conservative therapeutic option, when all the other therapies available to us have had no effect and before resorting to a surgical approach”, continues the doctor.
The importance of an integrated rehabilitation project
The shock waves must however be inserted in the context of an integrated rehabilitation project: it is not enough to do only shock wave therapy, but it is necessary that the patient be prescribed ad hoc exercises, guided by the physiotherapist, to help the tendon, in synergy with the shock waves therapy.
The therapy in these cases is anti-inflammatory and pain relieving, but shock waves are a mechanical stimulation that produces biological effects and therefore it is possible to directly and positively interfere with the tendon’s metabolism – which is altered in an Achilles tendinopathy,” explains Dr. D’ Agostino.
The advantages of shock waves
Shockwave therapy is non-invasive, repeatable and well tolerated by the patient. However, it is good that the patient knows that the result is not immediate: biological effects in fact require their time to manifest themselves; therefore the healing will have to be evaluated after a few months,” concludes the doctor.
