Multifaceted Treatment Using Advanced Modalities for Refractory Achilles Tendinopathy: A Case Report

Achilles tendinopathy is a prevalent issue among athletes, often resistant to traditional treatments, and can persist chronically. This report presents a 23-year-old female track athlete suffering from refractory Achilles tendinopathy for four years. Despite initial treatments including rehabilitation, the use of insoles, steroid injections, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy, her symptoms persisted. Implementing a combination of innovative treatments - transarterial embolization, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and prolotherapy - resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms. The case underscores the potential efficacy of a multifaceted approach, suggesting that a combination of treatments may be essential for addressing the complex pathology of chronic Achilles tendinopathy.