Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

Objective: Lateral epicondylitis is a disease with unknown etiology that influences 1-3 % of society. The major symptom is a kind of pain which originates from common extensor tendon, spreads out distally and increases with activities. Generally, it depends on using muscles excessively while sport or working and comprises of macroscopic and microscopic ruptures in common extensor origin and especially extensor tendon that are formed while strong grasping and eccentric contractions with recurrent, rapid movements of wrist. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Methods: We evaluated patients with lateral epicondylitis who were admitted to the treatment program and who had not yet received treatment. Sixty patients were studied in two groups of 30s. Patients applied treatment (1000 shots/18 hz frequency/1.8 bar point and 1000 shots/21 hz frequency/1.4 bar peripheral) total 2000 shots once a week for three times. Socio-demographic properties, dominant hand, affected elbow, existence of trauma or repetitive movements and the comorbid diseases, duration of symptoms, triggering factors and clinical examination results created the data. By the assessment of symptoms and signs visual analog scale, algometer, Health Assessment Questionnaire and PRTEE-T scores were evaluated. Results: At the end of the study, the ESWT-treated group showed statistically significant improvement in all variables compared with the groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: ESWT in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis showed a positive effect on symptoms and clinical signs. At the end of this study we concluded that ESWT therapy is effective in the conservative treatment of lateral epicondylitis.