Abstract
The purpose of this article was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of radial and focused shock wave therapies applied to treat tennis elbow. Patients with tennis elbow were randomized into two comparative groups: focused shock wave therapy (FSWT; n=25) and radial shock wave therapy (RSWT; n=25). Subjects in the FSWT and RSWT groups were applied with a focused shock wave (3 sessions, 2000 shocks, 4 Hz, 0.2 mJ/mm2) and a radial shock wave (3 sessions, 2000 + 2000 shocks, 8 Hz, 2.5 bar), respectively. The primary study endpoints were pain relief and functional improvement (muscle strength) one week after therapy. The secondary endpoint consisted of the results of the follow-up observation (3, 6 and 12 weeks after the study). Successive measurements showed that the amount of pain patients felt decreased in both groups. At the same time grip strength as well as strength of wrist extensors and flexors of the affected extremity improved significantly. Both focused and radial shock wave therapies can comparably and gradually reduce pain in subjects with tennis elbow. This process is accompanied by steadily improved strength of the affected extremity.
Highlights
Tennis elbow is a painful condition affecting the outside part of the elbow, which is associated with observable tenderness of the lateral epicondylus of the humeral bone
The tennis elbow syndrome seriously disturbs the function of the upper extremity (Shiri and Viikari-Jantura, 2011)
The two approaches that are employed to this end are conservative treatment and surgery (Shiri and Viikari-Jantura, 2011; Johnson et al, 2007)
Summary
Tennis elbow is a painful condition affecting the outside part of the elbow, which is associated with observable tenderness of the lateral epicondylus of the humeral bone. The first approach makes use of physiotherapy (Shiri and Viikari-Jantura, 2011; Johnson et al, 2007; Trudel et al, 2004), special orthoses (Johnson et al, 2007; Oken et al, 2008), pharmacotherapy (Johnson et al, 2007; Trudel et al, 2004), autologous blood injection (Johnson et al, 2007) and acupuncture (Johnson et al, 2007; Trudel et al, 2004; Trinh et al, 2004)
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