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Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is a proprietary and registered drug with several beneficial effects, including tissue repairing, anti-ischemic action, and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aims to summarize the current evidence about PRDN's clinical effectiveness in the management of tendon disorders. From January 2015 to November 2022, OVID-MEDLINE ® , EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched to identify relevant studies. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated, and relevant data were extracted. Nine studies (two in vivo studies and seven clinical studies) were finally included in this systematic review. Overall, 169 patients (male: 103) were included in the present study. The effectiveness and safeness of PDRN has been investigated in the management of the following diseases: plantar fasciitis; epicondylitis; Achilles tendinopathy; pes anserine bursitis; chronic rotator cuff disease. No adverse effects have been recorded in the included studies and all the patients showed an improvement in clinical symptoms during the follow-up. PDRN are a valid emerging therapeutic drug in the treatment of tendinopathies. Further multicentric randomized clinical studies are needed to better define the therapeutic role of PDRN, especially in combined clinical protocols.

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 aim of the study is 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. In the ESWT group, the patients received three sessions at 3- to 4-day intervals of 1,600 impulses with an energy flux density (EFD) of 0.05-0.07 mJ/mm(2). 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, we found a statistically significant improvement of the VAS at T1, T2 and T3 (p < 0.01). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant in favour of the CHELT group (p < 0.001). At 2 months, the CHELT group was statistically better for Ankle-Hindfoot Scale and the Roles and Maudsley Score (p < 0.05) and at 6 months only for the Roles and Maudsley Score (p < 0.001). High Energy Laser Therapy gave quicker and better pain relief. It also gave the patient a full functional recovery and greater satisfaction.

Introduction: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) produces good results in the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The efficacy of combined administration of dietary supplements with ESWT has not yet been studied., Methods: In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, Shock Waves therapy and Arginine for Achilles Tendinopathy (SWAAT), subjects affected by insertional Achilles tendinopathy were enrolled. Between January and October 2011, all participants underwent three sessions of ESWT. In addition, the patients in the experimental group received a daily dietary supplement containing arginine, Vinitrox (Bio Serae Laboratories SAS, Bram, France), collagen, methyl-sulfonyl-methane, vitamin C, and bromelain, while the control group patients received placebo., Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the visual analog scale (VAS) score between the two groups at 2 months (3.9 vs. 5.1; P=0.07), whereas at 6 months the value was significantly lower in the experimental group (2.0 vs. 2.9; P=0.04). The difference in the Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score at 2 and 6 months of follow-up (FU) was significantly in favor of the experimental group (2 months: 85.4 vs. 72.1; P=0.0035; 6 months: 92.4 vs. 76.5; P=0.0002). The Roles and Maudsley score also showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in favor of the experimental arm as regards patient satisfaction (at 2 months: 1.7 vs. 2.8; P<0.0001; at 6 months: 1.5 vs. 2.3; P<0.001). There was a statistically significant reduction in tissue oximetry values compared to baseline in both treatment groups at 2 and 6 months of FU. Comparing the groups, only at the last FU, at 6 months, was a significantly lower oximetry value observed in the experimental group versus controls (60.2 vs. 66.0; P=0.007)., Conclusion: On the basis of the results obtained in this study, the authors conclude that in the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy, ESWT induces a hemodynamic re-equilibrium with an amelioration in tendon trophism [corrected]. The addition of specific dietary supplements could improve the therapeutic response.

A marked neovascularity has been demonstrated in tendinopathies, due to the inflammatory-degenerative process. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on tissue perfusion in the treatment of tendinopathy. An observational clinical study was made of 30 patients undergoing ESWT for tendinopathy of the rotator cuff. A clinical improvement was obtained in 65.6% of patients at 2 and 6 months. This was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the oxygen tissue saturation, measured by oxymetry that was apparent already during treatment, as well as at subsequent follow-up visits. The reduced perfusion achieved with ESWT supports the hypothesis that this treatment can regulate the inflammatory process and offset increased vascularization, restoring physiologic tendon conditions., (Copyright © 2011 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

To evaluate the results of the treatment with medium-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in rotator cuff calcifying tendinitis. Fifty-four non-consecutive patients, who were referred to our institute for rotator cuff calcifying tendinitis, were managed with a standardized protocol in four sessions of medium-energy (0.11 mJ/mm2) ESWT administered with an electromagnetic lithotriptor. Pain was evaluated at the end of each session, functional state of shoulder was assessed at 1 and 6 months after the end of procedure. All patients underwent radiographs and sonography imaging. No systemic or local complications. Thirty-eight patients (70%) reported satisfactory functional results. Radiographs and sonographs showed a disappearance of calcium deposit in 29 patients (54%) and in 19 patients (35%) it appeared to be reduced more than a half. A correlation was found between residual calcium deposit and the clinical outcome, but some patients showed a reduced pain without modification of calcium deposit. These results were unmodified at 6 months follow-up. Our protocol of medium-energy ESWT provides good results overall about pain modulation.

Background: Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common diagnosis among patients with shoulder pain and dysfunction. Laser therapy is recommended for the treatment of this tendon disease due to the possibility of increasing tissue biostimulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HELT (high-energy laser therapy) in relation to the wavelengths of 650 nm, 810 nm, 980 nm, and 1064 nm administered. Methods: The study design was prospective and observational. Thirty patients with shoulder tendinopathy were recruited and treated in one of two high-energy laser therapy groups (5 Watt/cm2, 450 Joule, super-pulsed mode). Group A received a high-energy laser therapy protocol with a single wavelength (1064 nm); group B received a high-energy laser therapy program with four wavelengths (650 nm, 810 nm, 980 nm, and 1064 nm). Pain (VAS), function (ASES), and disability (DASH) were monitored at the time of recruitment (T0), 1 month later (T1), and 6 months later (T2). Roles and Maudsley scores were also evaluated at T1 and T2. Results: Both protocols resulted in improvement of pain and in functional and disability recovery at the two times of assessment, without statistically significant differences. In group B, treated with the four wavelengths, a trend emerged, bordering on statistical significance, for a greater reduction in pain. Conclusions: The high-energy laser proved to be an effective therapy for the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy. The possibility of modulating the choice of wavelengths could allow the customization of the protocol in relation to the patient's clinical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]