Kent Sweeting, Department of Medicine, Griffith University Funding: PHCRED Strategy: Researcher Development Program Fellowship Team members: Assoc Professor Michael Yelland, Dr John Lyftogt, Dr Angus Ng, Professor Paul Scuffham, Dr Kerrie Evans

Achilles tendinosis is a common sports injury, but is also seen among sedentary populations. It is notoriously difficult to treat.

This randomised clinical trial is the first study to demonstrate effective alternatives to standard treatment for chronic achilles tendon pain. It showed that prolotherapy – injections of combined glucose and local anaesthetic around the tendon - is an effective treatment for this painful condition.

Prolotherapy is effective when used singularly or in combination with the current gold standard treatment of a program of stretching and strengthening exercises. Both prolotherapy and the exercise program can be administered in primary care settings by GPs or allied health professionals such as podiatrists and physiotherapists.

When the treatments are used in combination, symptom reduction occurs more quickly and treatment costs are lowest in the long-term. However, this research found that prolotherapy alone offers an effective treatment. This is particularly important for patients who are unable to perform, or who do not respond to, the exercise program.

Conducted by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in general practice, podiatry, economics, physiotherapy, sports medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, and radiology, these research findings offer valuable and accessible options for patients to manage the pain and impairment they commonly suffer.