Radiofrequency Microtenotomy or Physical Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial

• Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a painful disorder, and various treatment options are available. Bipolar radiofrequency microtenotomy (RFM) has shown promising results in treating tendinosis. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to compare the results between treatment with bipolar RFM and physical therapy (PT) for patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy. It was hypothesized that RFM would be equivalent or superior to PT. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 38 patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy were evaluated for 2 years. The patients were randomized to receive either RFM or PT. There were 20 patients in the RFM group and 18 patients in the PT group. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). The degree of tendinosis was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the affected ankle performed before intervention and 2 years after intervention. Results: In both groups, the VAS scores at the 2-year follow-up were significantly improved compared with preintervention: from 7.2 ± 1.5 to 1.0 ± 1.4 for the RFM group and from 5.9 ± 1.3 to 3.1 ± 1.8 for the PT group (P <.01 for both). Compared with the PT group, the RFM group had significantly better VAS scores at both the 1- and 2-year follow-ups (P <.01 for both) and better scores on 4 of the 5 FAOS subscales at the 2-year follow-up (P <.01 for all). MRI revealed an improvement in the tendinosis score in both groups, without any significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: In this randomized study, the clinical assessments revealed significant improvements in the VAS, FAOS, and tendinosis score as seen on MRI 2 years after intervention with either RFM or PT in patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy. The improvement was significantly better in the RFM group with regard to VAS and FAOS, but not in the MRI appearance. Registration: NCT03274557 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier). © The Author(s) 2021.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Achilles tendon

physical therapy

radiofrequency microtenotomy

randomized

surgery

tendinopathy

achilles tendinitis

Article

clinical article

clinical outcome

controlled study

female

follow up

foot pain

human

nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

physiotherapy

randomized controlled trial

visual analog scale

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)