In this Level 1 randomized controlled study of 40 professional athletes, shockwave therapy (SWT) proved significantly more effective than traditional conservative treatments for chronic proximal hamstring tendinopathy. At the three-month follow-up, 85% of the SWT group achieved at least 50% pain relief compared to only 10% of the conventional treatment group. Furthermore, 80% of the SWT group successfully returned to sport at three months, while no athletes in the conventional group were able to do so. These clinical benefits in the shockwave arm were sustained through the 12-month follow-up, confirming SWT as a superior, safe, and durable nonoperative intervention.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20855554/
