Patellar Tendinopathy, Achilles Tendinopathy and Plantar Fasciitis

Tendinopathy is a growing concern among athletes, workers, and the elderly. Risk factors for developing this are sex, age, occupation, physical activity level, and different types of sports.  It occurs more with age and affects more females than males. However, studies show it affects athletic men more than athletic woman. Patellar Tendinopathy is persistent patellar (knee) tendon pain and loss of function due to high impact on knee. 

Achilles tendinopathy is persistent in Achilles (tendon connecting calf muscles to the heel) pain. Plantar Fasciitis is heel pain that travels to the digits of the foot.  Ten studies were reviewed on Patellar tendinopathy, thirteen on Achilles tendinopathy, and forty on plantar fasciitis.  

There is a small effect with a reasonable certainty of evidence that shockwave therapy can improve function and reduce pain in a short amount of time in Plantar tendinopathy and achilles tendinopathy. Shockwave therapy had a large effect on patients with plantar fasciitis in improving function and reducing pain in the short term to long term. 

Charles R, et al, (2023) 16:14:1193835, Frontiers in Immunology,  

The effectiveness of shockwave therapy on patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10468604/pdf/fimmu-14-1193835.pdf