A Comparison of Endoscopic Surgery and Exercise Therapy in Patients With Longstanding Achilles Tendinopathy

A Comparison of Endoscopic Surgery and Conservative Treatment in Patients With Longstanding Mid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy

Exercise is a preferred treatment modality for mid-portion achilles tendinopathy. Despite this, as many as 44 % of achilles tendinopathy patients do not respond to exercise treatment.

Surgery for midportion achilles tendinopathy has for many years been done as an open procedure. New knowledge resulted in a variety of minimally invasive procedures and the development of endoscopic surgery.

In this study, the effect of non-open surgery and conservative treatment (physiotherapy and exercises) will be compared.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of mid-portion achilles tendinopathy
• pain during at least 3 months
• decreased function (a score less than 80 on VISA-A)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Physiotherapy during previous three months
• history of major achilles trauma
• cardiovascular, respiratory, systemic, or metabolic conditions limiting exercise tolerance