title: Short- to mid-term follow-up effectiveness of US-guided focal extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of elbow lateral epicondylitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow is a common and disabling overuse syndrome. Several treatment modalities are currently available for this condition, but the optimal treatment method remains undefined. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been widely used in the last 10 years, although conflicting results are present in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we evaluated 36 patients (37 elbows), with a mean follow-up time of 24.8 months. Focal ESWT was administered by means of an electromagnetic generator equipped with in-line ultrasound guidance, during one or more cycles of 3-4 weekly sessions. In the setting of the study, patients were clinically evaluated and subjective satisfaction and rate of relapse were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive response was described in 75.7 % of the patients after treatment. Mean quickDASH score and VAS attested at 5.5 and 1.1, respectively. Roles and Maudsley score was rated as I or II in 33 cases. Four patients resulted not responders to the therapy, while 5 patients complained one or more episodes of symptoms relapse. No influence on the final outcome was evident with respect to demographic features and previous therapies as well. Response rate to further ESWT cycles in patients refractory to the first cycle of ESWT was 33.3 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Focal ESWT represents a valuable and safe solution in case of elbow lateral epicondylitis, both in newly diagnosed and previously treated cases, representing a definitive treatment in the majority of patients. Patients refractory to a 3- to 4-session ESWT cycle have lower chances of positive response after further ESWT cycles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Genova, Padiglione 40, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 10132, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trentini
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Genova, Padiglione 40, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 10132, Genoa, Italy. twmangano@gmail.com.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mangano
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Genova, Padiglione 40, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 10132, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Repetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Genova, Padiglione 40, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 10132, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cerruti
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Genova, Padiglione 40, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 10132, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kuqi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trompetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Genova, Padiglione 40, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 10132, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franchin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
keywords: Elbow; Extracorporeal shock wave therapy; Lateral epicondylitis; Tendonopathy