Actively Recruiting
Efficacy of Percutaneous Electrolysis in the Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy
Led by Maimonides University · Updated on 2026-04-29
102
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
230 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is one of the most reported myotendinous pathologies due to overuse in the literature. In the general adult population, its incidence is 2.35 cases per 1,000 patients, with no difference between men and women. The international literature reports that up to 29% of patients fail with conservative treatment. Within physiotherapy, new alternatives for the treatment of tendinopathies arise, applying electric currents percutaneously, which from a mechanical effect associated to the use of a needle and an electric effect by the use of galvanic currents, generate a local inflammatory response; activation of the central nervous system and analgesia. The aim of the research is to evaluate the efficacy of adding low intensity percutaneous electrolysis to the treatment with a high load eccentric exercise program based on the protocol of Silbernagel et al. in adults with Achilles tendinopathy to improve its functionality. A randomized, double-blind, blinded, evaluator-blinded, controlled clinical trial will be conducted in parallel groups (experimental treatment vs. sham treatment), with a follow-up at 26 and 52 weeks after the first intervention. Non-probability and intentional sampling will be performed.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Efficacy of Percutaneous Electrolysis in the Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Symptoms in one or both Achilles tendons for at least two months
- Pain score of 3 or higher on a visual analog scale reproducible by palpation 2 to 6 cm above the heel bone
- Tendinopathy confirmed by MRI
- Presence of post-static dyskinesia
- Willing to avoid other treatments for Achilles tendon pain during the study
- Willing to stop self-using pain relief medications for at least 14 days before and during the trial
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
- Previous surgery on the affected Achilles tendon
- Total or partial rupture of the symptomatic Achilles tendon
- Chronic ankle instability in the foot with the symptomatic tendon
- Other conditions causing Achilles region pain (e.g., osteoarthritis, impingement syndromes)
- Arthritis or metabolic/endocrine disorders including diabetes
- Psychological disorders
- History of cancer
- Treatment with quinolones or fluoroquinolones in the last two years
- Use of statins for more than two months
- Recent treatments near the Achilles tendon with anesthetics, corticosteroids, or other drugs within three months
- Fear of needles
- Allergy to metals
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Maimonides University
Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires F.D., Argentina, 1405
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Santiago M d'Almeida, PT SCS
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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