Shockwave therapy for patellar, Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis 2023 (meta-analysis)

Systematic review and meta-analysis of extracorporeal shockwave therapy across three load-related lower-limb conditions: patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. The effect was strongly condition-specific: high-certainty evidence for a large benefit in chronic plantar fasciitis, but only low-to-moderate evidence of a negligible effect on pain and function for patellar and Achilles tendinopathy. Supports ESWT mainly for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis rather than for tendinopathy or soft-tissue complaints in general.