Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Orthopaedic Diseases

Suad Trebinjac; Emela Mujić-Skikić; Marina Ninković; Eldin Karaiković

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2005.3280

Authors

Suad Trebinjac Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department, Rashid Hospital
Emela Mujić-Skikić Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department, Rashid Hospital
Marina Ninković Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Division, Medical University Innsbruck
Eldin Karaiković Northwestern University, Feinburg School of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2005.3280

Keywords:

ESWT, plantar fasciitis, lateral epicondylitis, shoulder disorders, non-union fracture

Abstract

The application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as a treatment for different orthopaedic conditions has experienced a rapid increase over the last several years. However the mechanism of action and the therapeutic effect is not clear. The aim of this study was to review the literature about the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, lateral epicondylitis, shoulder painful disorders and non-union fractures. Only randomized controlled studies published in the last 5 years were retrieved from electronic database and manual search. Results on efficacy of ESWT are controversial. Studies that have claimed therapeutic benefit did not fulfill scientific criteria and controlled randomized trials were not able to confirm significant improvement after treatment with ESWT.