Shock-wave therapy is effective for chronic calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder.
We report a prospective study of the effects of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy in 195 patients with chronic calcifying tendinitis. In part A 80 patients with chronic symptoms were randomly assigned to a control and three subgroups which had different treatment by low-energy and high-energy shock waves. In part B 115 patients had either one or two high-energy sessions. We recorded subjective, functional and radiological findings at six months after treatment. The results showed energy-dependent success, with relief of pain ranging from 5% in our control group up to 58% after two high-energy sessions. The Constant scores and the radiological disintegration of calcification were also dose-dependent. Shockwave therapy should be considered for chronic pain due to calcific tendinitis which is resistant to conservative treatment.
Loew
M
M
Department for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Orthopaedic University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Daecke
W
W
Kusnierczak
D
D
Rahmanzadeh
M
M
Ewerbeck
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011859:Radiography; D012782:Shoulder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy