[Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with lateral epicondylitis].
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.


METHODS
The study included 13 elbows of 12 patients (8 women, 4 men; mean age 40 years) who did not benefit from conservative therapy for lateral epicondylitis and refused surgical therapy. Under fluoroscopic guidance, extracorporeal shock wave therapy of 1200 pulses at 15-20 kV was administered at a mean of three sessions (range 3 to 7 sessions) with two-day intervals. No immobilization was applied after sessions. The patients were questioned about pain during rest and during dorsiflexion of the wrist against resistance before and after three and 12 months of treatment. The results were evaluated using the Roles and Maudsley pain scores. At the end of 12 months, the patients were asked to lift weight with the shoulder in flexion and the wrist in extension to measure grip strengths in comparison with the unaffected side.


RESULTS
The mean pain score which was 3.4 before treatment decreased to 2 after treatment. The mean grip strength of the affected extremities was 82.1% of the normal side. At final follow-ups, nine patients (10 elbows) (75%) stated that the treatment was beneficial; all these patients achieved at least 85% of grip strength of the normal side. Two patients (16.7%) reported no benefit from therapy and had a poor pain score. The result was fair in one patient (8.3%) who expressed dissatisfaction and had partial relief after the procedure. This patient achieved 60% of grip strength of the unaffected side.


CONCLUSIONS
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an alternative method for patients who do not benefit from conservative treatment and refuse surgical treatment.
Ozkut
Afşar T
AT
Göztepe Eğitim ve Araştirma Hastanesi 2. Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği. afserozkut@superonline.com
Kilinçoğlu
Volkan
V
Ozkan
Namik K
NK
Eren
Abdullah
A
Ertaş
Mehmet
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome