Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2007 Apr;41(4):211-6.
doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2007.035543. Epub 2007 Feb 20.

A treatment algorithm for managing Achilles tendinopathy: new treatment options

Affiliations
Review

A treatment algorithm for managing Achilles tendinopathy: new treatment options

Håkan Alfredson et al. Br J Sports Med. 2007 Apr.

Abstract

Achilles tendinopathy affects athletes, recreational exercisers and even inactive people. The pathology is not inflammatory; it is a failed healing response. The source of pain in tendinopathy could be related to the neurovascular ingrowth seen in the tendon's response to injury. The treatment of Achilles tendinopathy is primarily conservative with an array of effective treatment options now available to the primary care practitioner. If conservative treatment is not successful, then surgery relieves pain in the majority of cases. Directing a patient through the algorithm presented here will maximise positive treatment outcomes.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

References

    1. Maffulli N, Khan K M, Puddu G. Overuse tendon conditions. Time to change a confusing terminology. Arthroscopy 199814840–843. - PubMed
    1. Alfredson H, Lorentzon R. Chronic Achilles tendinosis: recommendations for treatment and prevention. Sports Med 200029135–146. - PubMed
    1. Archambault J M, Wiley J P, Bray R C. Exercise loading of tendons and the development of overuse injuries. A review of the current literature. Sports Med 19952077–89. - PubMed
    1. Astrom M. Partial rupture in Achilles tendinopathy. A retrospective analysis of 342 cases. Acta Orthop Scand 199869404–407. - PubMed
    1. Cook J L, Khan K M, Harcourt P R.et al Patellar tendon ultrasonography in asymptomatic active athletes reveals hypoechoic regions: a study of 320 tendons. Clin J Sports Med 1998873–77. - PubMed