Does Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Applied to the Achilles Tendon Influence Ankle Functionality?

Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (rESWT) was administered using the Masterpuls® MP200 device (Storz Medical AG, Tägerwilen, Switzerland). Participants were seated with their calves exposed. A coupling gel was applied to the Achilles tendon area and, adhering to the 90° application rule, a 15-mm applicator was used in both transverse and diagonal patterns at the myotendinous junction, extending across the muscle belly using a smoothing motion. Each session involved the delivery of 1000 pulses at a frequency of 10Hz and an air pressure setting of 1.0 bar.

Sham Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (rESWT) was administered using the Masterpuls® MP200 device (Storz Medical AG, Tägerwilen, Switzerland). Participants were seated with their calves exposed. A coupling gel was applied to the Achilles tendon area and, adhering to the 90° application rule, a 15-mm applicator was used in both transverse and diagonal patterns at the myotendinous junction, extending across the muscle belly using a smoothing motion. In each session, the device was held against the achilles tendon without being powered on.