Ultrasound Guided Therapeutic Percutaneous Electrolysis in Achilles Tendinopathy.

Achilles tendon is a frequent lower-limb tissue where tendinopathy may arise. Percutaneous Therapeutic Electrolysis (EPTE®) is an electronic device that enables to treat accurately, guided by an ultrasound, the tendon injured area by applying a galvanic current through an acupuncture needle. Thus, the first stage of physiological regenerative process may be obtained. Design: Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Objectives: To know the effectiveness of Percutaneous Therapeutic Electrolysis (EPTE®) versus a sham intervention at improving pain and function in patients who undergo Achilles Chronic Tendinopathy and to determine the efficiency of Percutaneous Therapeutic Electrolysis (EPTE®) with monopolar needle versus Percutaneous Therapeutic Electrolysis (EPTE®) with bipolar needle at improving pain and function in patients who undergo Achilles Chronic Tendinopathy. Participants: patients diagnosed with Achilles Chronic Tendinopathy. Setting. Infanta Leonor Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Experimental intervention: Percutaneous Therapeutic Electrolysis (EPTE®) with monopolar needle, 330 microamps, 1 min 20 sec versus bipolar needle. Sham intervention: the guide tube of the needle contacted with the skin and the device remained switched on to simulate its functioning.