Shockwave Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy in Professional Athletes

Background: Chronic proximal hamstring tendinopathy is an overuse syndrome that is usually managed by nonoperative methods. Shockwave therapy has proved to be effective in many tendinopathies.Hypothesis: Shockwave therapy may be more effective than other nonoperative treatments for chronic proximal hamstring tendinopathy.Study Design: Randomized controlled clinical study; Level of evidence, 1.Methods: Forty professional athletes with chronic proximal hamstring tendinopathy were enrolled between February 1, 2004, and September 30, 2006. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either shockwave therapy, consisting of 2500 impulses per session at a 0.18 mJ/mm2 energy flux density without anesthesia, for 4 weeks (SWT group, n = 20), or traditional conservative treatment consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, and an exercise program for hamstring muscles (TCT group, n = 20). Patients were evaluated before treatment, and 1 week and 3, 6, and 12 months after the end of treatment. Th...