ArticleOrthopaedic journal of sports medicine2021
Radiofrequency Microtenotomy or Physical Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial.
Article in Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT03274557 (Treatment of Achilles Tendinose), which is not on this map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Treatment of Achilles Tendinose
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy of radiofrequency microdebridement (TOPAZ) in tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2026Pooled it
- Both Radiofrequency Microtenotomy and Physical Therapy Provide Significant Improvements in Patients With Chronic Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy at a Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up.Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation · 2026Article
- The use of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review of the literature.Clinics in shoulder and elbow · 2026Review
- Endoscopic Calcaneoplasty With Bony Debridement and Radiofrequency.Arthroscopy techniques · 2024Article
- Systematic Review and Meta-analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials Comparing Exercise Loading Protocols With Passive Treatment Modalities or Other Loading Protocols for the Management of Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy.Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2023Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAchilles tendinopathy is a painful disorder, and various treatment options are available. Bipolar radiofrequency microtenotomy (RFM) has shown promising results in treating tendinosis. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to compare the results between treatment with bipolar RFM and physical therapy (PT) for patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy. It was hypothesized that RFM would be equivalent or superior to PT. STUDY
designRandomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.
methodsA total of 38 patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy were evaluated for 2 years. The patients were randomized to receive either RFM or PT. There were 20 patients in the RFM group and 18 patients in the PT group. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). The degree of tendinosis was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the affected ankle performed before intervention and 2 years after intervention.
resultsIn both groups, the VAS scores at the 2-year follow-up were significantly improved compared with preintervention: from 7.2 ± 1.5 to 1.0 ± 1.4 for the RFM group and from 5.9 ± 1.3 to 3.1 ± 1.8 for the PT group (
conclusionIn this randomized study, the clinical assessments revealed significant improvements in the VAS, FAOS, and tendinosis score as seen on MRI 2 years after intervention with either RFM or PT in patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy. The improvement was significantly better in the RFM group with regard to VAS and FAOS, but not in the MRI appearance. REGISTRATION: NCT03274557 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).
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