Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Mid-portion and Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (link.springer.com)

• 7 RCTs: 3 mid-portion, 4 insertional Achilles tendinopathy.
• Moderate evidence for ESWT plus loading in mid-portion AT (VISA-A +10.28 points).
• Very low evidence for ESWT in insertional AT; no benefit and possible harm as adjunct.

"This systematic review of 7 RCTs (3 mid-portion, 4 insertional) found moderate evidence that adding ESWT to a loading program improves outcomes in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (VISA-A MD 10.28 points). For insertional Achilles tendinopathy, very low quality evidence shows no benefit of ESWT, with a possible negative effect when added to standard care."