Clinical Effectiveness of PEMF as a Treatment Adjunct to Eccentric Exercise for Achilles Tendinopathy

This study aims to investigate the clinical effectiveness of PEMF as an adjunct to a program of eccentric exercise for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. The study objective is to establish whether PEMF plus eccentric exercise in people with Achilles tendinopathy will improve rehabilitation outcomes compared to eccentric exercise only. This study also investigates the effects of PEMF on pain, functional outcomes, mechanical and morphological properties of tendon among patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Investigators hypothesize that pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is effective in reducing pain, improving functional outcomes, and restoring mechanical and morphological properties of tendons in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. This study is a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial to investigate the clinical effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) for Achilles tendinopathy. Participants will be recruited from the outpatient clinic of the orthopedic and traumatology department at Prince of Wales Hospital. Fifty-four patients aged between 18 and 70 with Achilles tendinopathy will be invited to join this trial after informed consent. Participants will be randomized to any of the 2 groups: the intervention group (n=27; PEMF (Quantum Tx) treatment), and the control group (n=27; sham treatment with dummy exposure to PEMF). Baseline measurements of all self-reported outcomes, functional outcomes, and ultrasound imaging assessments, such as ankle range of motion, jumping ability, pain level, calf muscle strength, calf muscle endurance, physical activity level, quality of life by SF-36 will be measured.