Research Paper Title

Impact of Autologous Blood Injections in Treatment of  Mid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy: Double Blind Randomised Controlled Trial.

Study Question

Do peritendinous autologous blood injections improve pain and function in people with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy?

Summary Answer

The administration of two unguided peritendinous autologous blood injections one month apart, in addition to a standardised eccentric training programme, provides no additional benefit in the treatment of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy.

What is Known and What This Paper Adds

Several studies have suggested that injection of autologous blood can help in the treatment of various tendinopathies. There is a lack of high quality evidence showing relevant benefit for autologous blood injections, particularly in the management of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy. The researchers found no additional reduction in pain or improvement in function when these injections were combined with an eccentric calf training programme.

Source: BMJ 2013;346:f2310.

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