BACKGROUND: The healing processes of tendon tissue are not well understood and the difficulty in clinical management of its pathology reflects this. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated that application of microcurrent can promote protein production (collagen) in fibroblasts and tenocytes. In vivo studies, using animal models, have demonstrated that tendon and ligament tissue responds particularly well to this application. Thus the purpose of this study was to evaluate functional outcome in patients presenting with chronic pathology in the Achilles tendon, following application of microcurrent compared with conservative management. METHOD: A prospective comparative study was undertaken using a blocked randomisation method. Subjects were allocated either to group A and exposed to current clinical management or to group B, the experimental microcurrent regime. Classification and subsequent evaluation of pathology were assessed employing clinical assessment tests, self-assessment and assessment by diagnostic ultrasound. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Subjects were assessed at three, six and 12 months after entry into the study. Forty-eight subjects, 24 in each group, completed the study. A statistical analysis was performed, calculating the differences between the two groups and between each interval assessment. Categorical variables were compared between the two groups using the Chi-squared test. The Mann-Whitney test was performed to assess changes in ordinal variables. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in favour of group B, the experimental group, in four out of the five clinical markers used at the 0.1% level of significance. CONCLUSION: The application of microcurrent treatment to patients presenting with chronic Achilles tendon pathology can make a significant contribution to improvement of the condition.

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