THE TREATMENT WITH EXTRACORPEREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN SOME OF MOST FREQUENTLY MUSCULOSKELETAL PATHOLOGIES

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of extracorpereal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in some of most frequent muscularskeletal pathologies.

Material and methods: From July to October 2004 310 patients were treated with ESWT, suffering from the following pathologies: 96 symptomatic calcific tendonitis of the shoulder, 53 symptomatic sub-acromial impingement, 48 humeral epichondylitis, 52 plantar fasciitis, 24 pertrochanteric bursitis, 15 Achilleous tendinopathy and 22 patellar tendinopathy.

Patients were evaluated clinically and instrumentally before the first application and at one and three months of follow-up. Three disability scales we utilized (NRS, Mcgill Pain Questionnaire e Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire).

Results: We observed a reduction of the pain and an increase of the articular functionality in 83% of calcific tendonitis of the shoulder, in 55% of sub-acromial impingement, in 76% of epichondylitis, in 74% of palantar fasciitis, in 90% of pertrochanteric bursitis, in 82% of Achilleous tendinopathy and in 86% of patellar tendinopaty.

Discussion: The data confirm the therapy with ESWT is efficient in some of most frequent musculoskeletal pathologies, with variable outcome in the various pathologies under investigation.