The Effectiveness of High-Energy Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Versus Ultrasound-Guided Needling Versus Arthroscopic Surgery in the Management of Chronic Calcific Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review

Abstract Objective: The study is designed explore the current evidence on effectiveness of shockwave therapy in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy from 2000-2019. Methodology: Data bases were searched including Cochrane, Medline, Embase and PEDro from 2000 to latest. A thorough search was performed to retrieve articles missed through databases as well as unpublished grey literature. Methodological quality assessment was performed using Cochrane risk of bias tool and included studies were critically appraised using PEDro scale. Results: In current review, 11 articles were finally included based on eligibility criteria. However data was not extractable from 2 studies due to which 9 studies were finally reviewed as shown in figure I. There were 8 Randomized trials and 1 randomized pilot study. The summary of critical appraisal of included studies through PEDro scale was done which showed that 4 studies had high quality and 5 studies fall under the category of fair. Conclusion: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy showed significant improvement in terms of reducing pain and improving functional mobility as compared to traditional rehabilitation in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy in some studies however in others results were not found to be significant. This systematic review has established that there is no consensus between both interventions however; extracorporeal shockwave therapy is an acceptable practical alternative among patients having tendinopathy. Keywords: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, Rotator cuff tendinopathy, Systematic review, Continuous...

Download Full-text

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Treatment in Upper Limb Diseases: A Systematic Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9020453 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 453 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Gianluca Testa ◽

Andrea Vescio ◽

Stefano Perez ◽

Alberto Consoli ◽

Luciano Costarella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Surgical Treatment ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Full Text ◽

High Energy ◽

Reference List ◽

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy ◽

Extracorporeal Shockwave ◽

Shockwave Therapy ◽

Text Reading

Background: Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCT), subacromial impingement (SAIS), and medial (MEP) and lateral (LEP) epicondylitis are the most common causes of upper limb pain caused by microtrauma and degeneration. There are several therapeutic choices to manage these disorders: extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has become a valuable option. Methods: A systematic review of two electronic medical databases was performed by two independent authors, using the following inclusion criteria: RCT, SAIS, MEP, and LEP, ESWT therapy without surgical treatment, with symptoms duration more than 2 months, and at least 6 months of follow-up. Studies of any level of evidence, reporting clinical results, and dealing with ESWT therapy and RCT, SAIS, MEP, and LEP were included. Results: A total of 822 articles were found. At the end of the first screening, following the previously described selection criteria, we selected 186 articles eligible for full-text reading. Ultimately, after full-text reading, and reference list check, we selected 26 articles following previously written criteria. Conclusions: ESWT is a safe and effective treatment of soft tissue diseases of the upper limbs. Even in the minority cases when unsatisfied results were recorded, high energy shockwaves were nevertheless suggested in prevision of surgical treatment.

Download Full-text