Cross-sectional outcome analysis of athletes with chronic patellar tendinopathy treated surgically and by extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcome of chronic patellar tendinopathy treated surgically and by extracorporeal shock wave therapy.


METHODS
Cross-sectional outcome analysis.


METHODS
University Hospital Pellenberg, Leuven, Belgium.


METHODS
Of a total of 27 patients (28 knees) with chronic patellar tendinopathy, 13 were treated surgically, and 14 (15 knees) received extracorporeal shock wave therapy.


METHODS
Functional outcome questionnaire: Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment score, Visual Analog Scale, and Roles and Maudsley classification.


RESULTS
At an average of 6 months of follow-up, the mean Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment and Visual Analog Scale scores for the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group were 78.8 +/- 28.7 and 9 +/- 2, respectively, which improved to 83.9 +/- 28.6 and 9 +/- 2, respectively, at 22.1 months. The surgery group scored 70.7 +/- 22.2 points on the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment at an average of 26.3 months of follow-up (p = 0.41 and p = 0.18) and 8 +/- 3 on the Visual Analog Scale (p = 0.14). In the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group, 5 (33%) patients rated their pain status at 22.1 months as excellent, 5 (33%) as good, 2 (13%) as fair, and 2 (13%) as poor. In the surgery group, 4 (33%) evaluated the result as excellent, 3 (25%) as good, 3 (25%) as fair, and 2 as poor (17%).


CONCLUSIONS
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy shows a comparable functional outcome to surgery in a cross-sectional analysis of patients with chronic proximal patellar tendinopathy resistant to conservative treatment.
Peers
Koen H E
KH
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Pellenberg, Leuven, Belgium. koen.peers@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Lysens
Roeland J J
RJ
Brys
Peter
P
Bellemans
Johan
J
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome