Information for the public
What has NICE said?
What has NICE said?
There is not much good evidence about how well extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy works, however there are no major safety concerns. It should only be used if extra care is taken to explain the risks and extra steps are put in place to record and review what happens.
More research on extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy is needed and NICE may look at it again if more evidence is published.
What does this mean for me?
Your health professional should fully explain what is involved in having this procedure and discuss the possible benefits and risks with you. In particular, they should explain the uncertainty about the evidence on how likely it is to improve your symptoms. You should also be told how to find more information about the procedure. You should only be asked if you want this procedure after having this discussion. Your health professional should ask you if details of your procedure can be collected.
Other comments from NICE
NICE said that comments from patients were mixed. Some people had less benefit from the procedure than others, and some people found the procedure painful.