EFFICACY OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD INJECTION VERSUS EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate the efcacy of ultrasound-guided autologous blood injection in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Design: Prospective randomised controlled trial. Setting:Tertiary care hospital. Participants: 45 patients of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Intervention: Participants were allocated to 2 groups i.e. autologous blood injection under ultrasound-guidance group (n=23) and extra corporeal shockwave therapy group (n=22) while in both groups eccentric heel drop stretching exercise were added. Outcome measures:VAS, VISA-Aand ultrasonography. Follow up at 4, 12 and 24 weeks. Results: The mean VAS score changes within-subject analysis were signicant in both ABI and ESWT group (p<0.001), however between-group analysis at 4, 12 and 24 weeks were not signicant (p>0.05). The mean VISA-A score within-subject analysis were signicant in both the groups (p<0.001). The between-group analysis show signicant difference at 12 weeks (p=0.006) and 24 weeks (p=0.001). The between-group analysis of mean tendon size were signicant at 24 weeks (p=0.001). Conclusions: This study showed that ultrasound guided autologous blood injection is effective in reducing pain and disability in chronic Achilles tendinopathy at 6 months. ABI might have additive regenerative therapeutic effect.