Short-term outcomes of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of chronic non-calcific tendinopathy of the supraspinatus: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Research Article

Giorgio Gasparini¹  Olimpio Galasso¹  Daria Anna Riccelli¹  Ernesto Amelio² 

[1] Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Magna Græcia University, V.le Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy;Extracorporeal Shock Wave Research Unit, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Largo LA Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy;

关键词: Shock Wave;    Rotator Cuff;    Supraspinatus Tendon;    Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy;    Plantar Fasciitis;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2474-13-86

 received in 2011-10-13, accepted in 2012-06-06,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThere is evidence supporting the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in calcific tendinopathy of the rotator cuff, but the best current evidence does not support its use in non-calcifying tendinopathy. We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of low energy ESWT for non-calcifying tendinopathy of the rotator cuff.Methods20 patients with non-calcifying supraspinatus tendinopathy (NCST) were randomized to an active or a sham treatment group. Physical, blood, roentgenographic, and MRI examinations of the shoulder were conducted to verify that patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These examinations were repeated six and twelve weeks after treatments. Effectiveness was determined by comparison of the mean improvement in the Constant and Murley score (CMS) between the treatment and the placebo groups at three months. Safety was assessed by analyzing the number and severity of adverse events.ResultsAll the patients completed the investigation protocol. At the final follow-up, significant improvement in the total CMS score and most of the CMS subscales was observed in the ESWT group when compared to the baseline values. Significantly higher total CMS, and significantly higher scores for CMS pain and ROM were observed in the ESWT group when compared to the placebo. No serious adverse events were noted after ESWT.ConclusionsPatients suffering from NCST may benefit from low energy ESWT, at least in short-term. The application protocol of ESWT is likely to play a key-role in a successful treatment. Future investigations should be undertaken on the long-term effects of this technique for the treatment of NCST.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN41236511

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Galasso et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012