Effectiveness of Radial Shock-Wave Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder: Single-Blind, Randomized Clinical Study
Open Access
- 1 May 2006
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal
- Vol. 86 (5), 672-682
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/86.5.672
Abstract
Background and Purpose. 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. Subjects. 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. Discussion and Conclusion. 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.Keywords
This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit:
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: single blind studyAnnals Of The Rheumatic Diseases, 2003
- Long-term effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in chronic calcific tendinitis of the shoulderJournal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2002
- Ultrasound Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis of the ShoulderThe New England Journal of Medicine, 1999
- Treatment of calcifying tendinitis of rotator cuff by extracorporeal shock waves: A preliminary reportJournal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 1995
- Arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulderArthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery, 1992
- Analysis of Calcific Deposits in Calcifying TendinitisClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 1990
- Optimal plain film imaging of the shoulder impingement syndromeAmerican Journal of Roentgenology, 1989
- Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty at UCLAClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 1988
- Arthroscopic subacromial decompression: Analysis of one- to three-year resultsArthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery, 1987
- Examinations of the pathology of the rotator cuffArchives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, 1987