CHELT therapy in the treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy

The application of laser therapy on soft tissue is used for pain relief, anti-inflammation action and biostimulation. The efficiency of High Energy Laser Therapy has not yet been studied on Achilles tendinopathy.  The authors' aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a flow of Cold air and High Energy Laser Therapy (CHELT) versus Extracorporeal Shock Waves Therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy.

In this prospective, clinical trial, 60 subjects affected by insertional Achilles tendinopathy were enrolled and randomized to CHELT (30 subjects) or to ESWT (30 subjects). In CHELT group the patients received ten daily sessions of 1,200 J and 12 W of laser therapy (wavelength of 1,084, 810 and 980 nm) added to a flow of cold air at -30 °C.

Both groups of participants performed stretching and eccentric exercises over a 2-month period. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, and the Roles and Maudsley Score were measured before treatment (T0), and at end of the treatment session (T1) and 2 (T2) and 6 months (T3) after treatment during the follow-up examinations.

In both groups, the authors found a statistically significant improvement of the VAS at T1, T2 and T3. It also gave the patient a full functional recovery and greater satisfaction.

Notarnicola A, Maccagnano G, Tafuri S, Forcignanò MI, Panella A, Moretti B. CHELT therapy in the treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Lasers in Medical Science 2014 05;29(3):1217-25.