Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Combined with Eccentric Exercise in Athletes with Patellar Tendinopathy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) combined with eccentric exercise compared to eccentric exercise alone in treating athletes with patellar tendinopathy (PT). The study aims to see how adding ESWT to a 6-week exercise program affects clinical outcomes such as pain, function, and physical performance. This trial is randomized and single-blind, involving professional and recreational athletes who experience patellar tendon pain related to training or physical activity. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving focused ESWT three times a week alongside a 6-week eccentric exercise program, and the other performing the exercise program alone for 6 weeks. The eccentric exercise involves single-leg squats on a 25° incline board, done twice daily for three sets of 15 repetitions, five days a week. ESWT is applied once weekly for three weeks using specific dosing parameters appropriate to pain levels. No exercise is performed on ESWT treatment days. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and then at 3, 6, and 12 months. Assessments include sociodemographic data, pain levels using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), tendon pain and function via the VISA-P questionnaire, physical capacity tests like maximal vertical jump, single-leg hop distance, and single-leg squat on an incline board. Additional measures include pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, quality of life, and activity level. Participants will keep an exercise diary to monitor adherence. The study lasts up to 12 months after treatment to track outcomes and safety.

Efficacy of the Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Athletes With Patellar Tendinopathy