Effectiveness of radial shock-wave therapy for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: single-blind, randomized clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
Radial shock-wave therapy (RSWT) is a pneumatically generated, low- to medium-energy type of shock-wave therapy. This single-blind, randomized, "less active similar therapy"-controlled study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of RSWT for the management of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.


METHODS
Ninety patients with radiographically verified calcific tendinitis of the shoulder were tested.


METHODS
Subjects were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n=45) or a control group (n=45). Pain and functional level were evaluated before and after treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Radiographic modifications in calcifications were evaluated before and after treatment.


RESULTS
The treatment group displayed improvement in all of the parameters analyzed after treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. Calcifications disappeared completely in 86.6% of the subjects in the treatment group and partially in 13.4% of subjects; only 8.8% of the subjects in the control group displayed partially reduced calcifications, and none displayed a total disappearance.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the use of RSWT for the management of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder is safe and effective, leading to a significant reduction in pain and improvement of shoulder function after 4 weeks, without adverse effects.
Cacchio
Angelo
A
Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Unità Operativa di Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione, Ospedale San Salvatore di L'Aquila, via L. Natali 1, 67100 Coppito-L'Aquila, Italy. angelo.cacchio@tin.it
Paoloni
Marco
M
Barile
Antonio
A
Don
Romildo
R
de Paulis
Fosco
F
Calvisi
Vittorio
V
Ranavolo
Alberto
A
Frascarelli
Massimo
M
Santilli
Valter
V
Spacca
Giorgio
G
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018579:Patient Selection; D011859:Radiography; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012449:Safety; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome