Radiotherapy for Tendinopathy!

By Richard Shaffer

Usain Bolt is arguably the best runner in history and he’s also had the best medical care for his various sports injuries. 

As the recent Netflix documentary Bolt showed, he had very low dose radiotherapy for heel pain - probably plantar fasciitis and/or Achilles tendinopathy. 

Clearly, the treatment was effective since he then went on to add to his already impressive lifetime gold medal tally.

But low dose radiotherapy isn’t only for elite athletes. In fact, it can help 80-85% of patients with painful tendinopathies (1) which are not responding to standard treatment, and is a much less invasive alternative to surgery.

Where does radiotherapy fit into the treatment pathway?

Conservative treatments, such as exercises and stretching are simple, low risk interventions but are not always effective - and are usually only one part of a rehabilitation program.

For some patients that don’t respond to conservative management, medical treatments such as shockwave therapy and steroid injections may be offered. 

If these treatments do not give lasting results then patients may be referred for surgery but this is invasive and the recovery period may take many weeks or even months.

Low dose radiotherapy (LDRT) provides an alternative, safe and highly effective option.