Glucopuncture for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Descriptive Review

As sports related injuries such as Achilles tendinopathy are prevalent, it is important to investigate new treatment modalities which are safe, easy to apply and effective. Over the last decade, glucose 5% injections have received more attention among clinicians. Unfortunately, no large randomized clinical trials have confirmed their effectiveness so far. This article invites the medical community for further basic-science and clinical studies to clarify the potential benefits of local glucose 5% injections for Achilles tendinopathy. The goal of introducing the term Glucopuncture is to raise awareness among physicians of the interesting risk-benefits ratio of regional glucose 5% injections and to point out the difference with Prolotherapy.