Abstract
There have been several reports on the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of pseudoarthrosis and some kinds of enthesopathy in the orthopedic field. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ESWT on chronic calcified tendinitis of the shoulder. Forty three shoulders were included in this study and were treated with a Dornier Epos shock wave generator. Patients received 600mj total energy, focusing using ultrasound in the sitting position. Average follow up period was 8.8 months. Radiographs showed complete elimination of the calcium deposits in twenty eight patients, incomplete elimination in five patients, and ten patients had no change. The effective rate on radiograph was 76.7%. Statistical analysis showed a significant superiority of ESWT in all clinical scores (JOA, UCLA score, Constant score, and VAS (night pain, rest pain, motion pain and tenderness). Based on these results, ESWT would be effective therapy for the treatment of chronic calcified tendinitis of the shoulder.
