Repetitive low-energy shock wave treatment for chronic lateral epicondylitis in tennis players.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

There is conflicting evidence regarding extracorporeal shock wave treatment for chronic tennis elbow.

HYPOTHESIS:

Treatment with repetitive low-energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment is superior to repetitive placebo extra-corporeal shock wave treatment.

METHODS:

Seventy-eight patients enrolled in a placebo-controlled trial. All patients were tennis players with recalcitrant MRI-confirmed tennis elbow of at least 12 months' duration. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either active low-energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment given weekly for 3 weeks (treatment group 1) or an identical placebo extracorporeal shock wave treatment (sham group 2). Main outcome measure was pain during resisted wrist extension at 3 months; secondary measures were >50% reduction of pain and the Upper Extremity Function Scale.

RESULTS:

At 3 months, there was a significantly higher improvement in pain during resisted wrist extension in group 1 than in group 2 (mean [SD] improvement, 3.5 [2.0] and 2.0 [1.9]; P =.001 for between-group difference of improvement) and in the Upper Extremity Function Scale (mean [SD] improvement, 23.4 [14.8] and 10.9 [14.9]; P <.001 for between-group difference of improvement). In the treatment group, 65% of patients achieved at least a 50% reduction of pain, compared with 28% of patients in the sham group (P =.001 for between-group difference).

CONCLUSION:

Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment as applied is superior to sham treatment for tennis elbow.

• Authors: Jan D Rompe, Jens Decking, Carsten Schoellner, Christoph Theis
• Journal: The American journal of sports medicine (Am J Sports Med) 2004 Apr-May Vol. 32 Issue 3 Pg. 734-43 ISSN: 0363-5465 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15090392 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• Hand Strength
• Humans
• Lithotripsy (methods)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain Measurement
• Tennis Elbow (diagnosis, physiopathology, therapy)
• Treatment Outcome