Two Paths, Same Destination for Hamstring Injury Recovery

When faced with the persistent, localised pain of proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT), which can make running or even sitting uncomfortable, what is the best course of action? A new Australian randomised controlled trial aimed to find out by comparing two common treatments: individualised physiotherapy and shockwave therapy.

The study involved 100 participants who were randomly assigned to receive six sessions of one of the two treatments, with both groups also getting standardised advice and education. Researchers tracked their progress for a full year, measuring pain, function, and overall improvement at several intervals.

The results were clear: there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of either treatment on the primary outcomes at any point during the 52-week follow-up. While the shockwave therapy group reported greater satisfaction with their treatment at some stages, the core clinical improvements in function and global effect were equivalent. This suggests that when it comes to tackling PHT, both physiotherapy and shockwave therapy are equally valid routes to recovery.