Dry needling is a tendon needle piercing technique with the aim of decompressing, stretching the tendon by multiple partial tenotomies, and provoking local stimulation of regeneration and improvement of the local circulation.

 

Echo-guided tenotomy (dry needling with ultrasound control) allows direct visualization of target tissues, improving efficacy and preventing injury to adjacent structures.

 

Studies in the treatment of certain tendinopathies, such as those of Mcshane et al, describe success rates close to those of surgery, with less inherent risks, less invasiveness, and requiring only a local anesthetic.

 

Dry needling stimulates a healing response via local inflammation, leading to recruitment of blood vessels and collagen precursors. This response, when aided by an adequate physiotherapy protocol, induces tendon remodeling.

 

There is still no consensus about the partial tenotomies performed with corticoid injection. In the literature, there are studies that report the following results: co-administration of corticosteroids - excellent results up to 12 weeks, but long-term pain relapses; without corticoid - takes longer to relieve pain, but long-term relief has proven to be excellent.

 

This technique also allows the possibility of injection of sclerosing substances such as 20% dextrose, autologous blood injection or even platelet growth factors (PRPs), with great precision, particularly in small interstitial breaks, which increases its rate of classical infiltration methods.