A systematic review and meta-analysis of conservative management of Achilles tendinopathy

Results The search strategy yielded 22 studies whose methodological quality rated between 2 and 12 out of 14 on a Modified PEDro rating scale. Studies were grouped by their primary intervention (eccentric exercise, shock wave therapy, ultrasound, night splints and other conservative management options). Follow up times were predominantly within three months. A meta-analysis was able to be performed for two intervention comparisons; shock wave therapy (SWT) versus eccentric exercise (EE) and laser therapy versus a sham laser therapy, where both groups received an EE program. The pooled data found a moderate significant effect favouring SWT and small significant effect favouring laser therapy. Of the eleven studies evaluating EE, six reported that EE had superior results to the control intervention.