Extracorporal shock wave therapy in patients with tennis elbow and painful heel

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracorporal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in tennis elbow and painful heel. Nineteen patients with tennis elbow and 44 patients with painful heel in which conservative treatment had failed underwent ESWT. Both groups received 3000 shock waves of 0.12 mJ/mm2 three times at weekly intervals. After a follow-up of 5 and 6 months respectively, pain measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased significantly in both groups. The success rate (excellent and good results) was 63% in tennis elbows and 70% in painful heels. ESWT seems to be a useful conservative alternative in the treatment of both conditions.     

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis: a 2-year follow-up

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronically painful proximal plantar fasciitis with a further conventional conservative treatment. Forty-seven patients (49 feet) with a previously unsuccessful nonsurgical treatment of at least 6 months were randomized to two groups. Heel cups had to be worn throughout the study. Group 1 (25 heels) was treated immediately with three sessions of ESWT (3000 shock waves/session of 0.2 mJ/mm2) at weekly intervals. The patients of group 2 (24 heels) continued nonsurgical treatment (iontophoresis with diclofenac and an oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) for 12 weeks. After this period they were treated using the protocol of group 1. No significant difference of pain and walking time after further nonsurgical treatment (3 months) was seen in group 2. At 12 weeks after ESWT, the pain estimation on the visual analogue scale (VAS) for activities of daily living diminished significantly by 62.9% in group 1 and by 63.0% in group 2. The comfortable walking time had increased significantly in both groups. Two years after ESWT, pain during activities of daily living decreased by 94% in group 1 and by 90% in group 2 on the VAS and the comfortable walking time had increased significantly in both groups.     

Treatment of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder with shock wave therapy

In a prospective clinical study, the effectiveness of shock wave treatment for calcifying tendinitis in 31 shoulders in 29 patients (14 women and 15 men) with an average age of 52 years was assessed. Each shoulder was treated with 1,000 impulses of shock waves at 14 kV. A 100-point Constant score system was used for evaluation. The overall results of 20 patients (21 shoulders) with 12 weeks followup were no complaints in 23.8%, significantly improved in 38.1%, some improvement in 14.3%, and unchanged in 23.8%. Considerable improvement was observed between 6 and 12 weeks. The results of seven patients with 24 weeks followup were no complaints in two patients, significantly improved in three, and unchanged in two patients. Radiographs showed complete elimination of the calcium deposits in six patients (28.6%), incomplete elimination in two patients (9.5%), and three patients (14.3%) had fragmentation of the calcium deposits. There was no recurrence of calcium deposits observed at 24 weeks. There was a correlation between the functional improvement and the elimination of calcium deposits. There were no device-related problems, systemic or local complications. Low-energy shock wave therapy may offer a new and safer additional nonoperative treatment for patients with calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder.     

Nerve entrapment in painful heel syndrome

Subcalcaneal heel pain is one of the most common foot ailments, yet the exact etiology is still controversial. Nerve entrapment has been suggested as one of the possible causes of this painful condition in recalcitrant cases. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of nerve entrapment in painful heels. Twenty patients with heel pain (25 heels) were compared with an age and body mass index-matched control population using electrodiagnostic methods. The results of the study revealed 22 heels (88%) with heel pain had lateral plantar nerve entrapment signs with or without medial plantar nerve findings on EMG. There were no abnormal values in the control group. Nerve entrapment syndrome has previously been considered only in cases with intractable heel pain, but this study suggests that it may play a role the early phases of painful heel syndrome.     

Shockwave therapy for patients with plantar fasciitis: a one-year follow-up study

The effect of shockwave therapy was investigated in 79 patients (85 heels) with plantar fasciitis with one-year follow-up. There were 59 women and 20 men with an average age of 47 (range, 15-75) years. Each patient was treated with 1000 impulses of shockwave at 14 kV to the affected heel. A 100-point scoring system was used for evaluation including 70 points for pain and 30 points for function. The intensity of pain was based on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. The overall results were 75.3% complaint-free, 18.8% significantly better, 5.9% slightly better and none unchanged or worse. The effect of shockwave therapy seemed cumulative and was time-dependent. The recurrence rate was 5%. There were no device-related problems, systemic or local complications. Shockwave therapy is a safe and effective modality in the treatment of patients with plantar fasciitis.     

Treatment of lateral epicondylitis of the elbow with shock waves

In a prospective clinical study, the effectiveness of shock wave treatment for lateral epicondylitis in 56 elbows in 53 patients (27 men and 26 women) with an average age of 46 years was investigated. Three patients received treatment for both elbows. Each elbow was treated with 1,000 impulses of shock waves at 14 kV. A 100-point scoring system was used for evaluation including 40 points for pain, 30 points for function, 20 points for strength, and 10 points for elbow motion. The intensity of pain was measured using a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. The overall results were 13.2% excellent, 44.7% good, 36.8% acceptable, and 5.3 unchanged in 35 patients with 12 weeks followup; 30.8% excellent, 42.3% good, and 26.9% acceptable in 25 patients with 24 weeks followup. Considerable improvement was observed from 6 weeks to 6 months after the treatment. None of the patients' symptoms became worse. The results of nine patients who also received a second treatment were good in three patients, acceptable in five patients, and unchanged in one patient. There was no device-related problems, systemic, or local complications. Shock wave therapy may offer a new and safer nonoperative treatment for patients with lateral epidoncylitis of the elbow.     

Preliminary experience of a single session of low-energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a single session of ultrasound- and biofeedback-assisted extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 patients (22 heels) with symptomatic plantar fasciitis that did not respond to conservative treatment for at least 6 months were studied. Patients received a single session of low-energy, ultrasound- and patient feedback-guided ESWT. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to compare pain intensity before treatment and at followup (72 +/- 15 days after treatment). RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in overall pain (VAS 5.5 +/- 1.8 vs. 3.3 +/- 2.7, p = 0.001), maximum pain (7.7 +/- 2.1 vs. 4.0 +/- 3.9, p = 0.008) and pain at activities of daily living (5.3 +/- 2.1 vs. 2.5 +/- 2.6, p = 0.018). Night pain decreased to a lesser extent (2.4 +/- 2.5 vs. 1.3 +/- 2.1, p = 0.317). ESWT improved symptoms in 16 heels, of which six were completely symptom-free at followup 2.4 months after treatment. Six patients experienced no change. Fourteen patients with pain localized to the heel and all male patients benefited from ESWT. No difference was noted for age, body mass index, duration, and severity of symptoms or previous treatment. CONCLUSION: Low-energy ESWT proved to be an effective treatment option for the majority of patients with chronic plantar fasciitis that failed to respond to conservative treatment. Predictive parameters for successful outcome are male gender and an easily detectable pain center at the heel.     

Outcome of endoscopic decompression of retrocalcaneal bursitis

Background:

Posterior heel pain due to retrocalcaneal bursitis, is a disabling condition that responds well to the conventional methods of treatment. Patients who do not respond to conservative treatment may require surgical intervention. This study evaluates the outcome of endoscopic decompression of retrocalcaneal bursitis, with resection of posterosuperior eminence of the calcaneum.

Materials and Methods:

This present study included 25 heels from 23 consecutive patients with posterior heel pain, who did not respond to conservative treatment and underwent endoscopic decompression of the retrocalcaneal bursae and excision of bony spurs. The functional outcome was evaluated by comparing the pre and postoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. The Maryland ankle and foot score was used postoperatively to assess the patient''s satisfaction at the one-year followup.

Results:

The University of Maryland scores of 25 heels were categorized as the nonparametric categories, and it was observed that 16 patients had an excellent outcome, six good, three fair and there were no poor results. The AOFAS scores averaged 57.92 ± 6.224 points preoperatively and 89.08 ± 5.267 points postoperatively (P < 0.001), at an average followup of 16.4 months. The 12 heels having noninsertional tendinosis on ultrasound had low AOFAS scores compared to 13 heels having retrocalcaneal bursitis alone. At one year followup, correlation for preoperative ultrasound assessment of tendoachilles degeneration versus postoperative Maryland score (Spearman correlation) had shown a strong negative correlation.

Conclusion:

Endoscopic calcaneal resection is highly effective in patients with mild or no degeneration and yields cosmetically better results with fewer complications. Patients with degenerative changes in Achilles tendon had poorer outcomes in terms of subjective satisfaction.     

Does rate matter? The results of a randomized controlled trial of 60 versus 120 shocks per minute for shock wave lithotripsy of renal calculi

PURPOSE: In this study we prospectively compared 2 rates of shock wave delivery, 60 and 120 shock waves per minute, to determine whether rate affects outcome with the Dornier Lithotripter S, a lithotriptor with an electromagnetic shock wave source, for renal calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 104 patients with uncomplicated single renal calculus were randomized and treated. Following a single treatment patients were reviewed at 3 months to determine outcome. A plain abdominal x-ray was performed and the size of any residual fragments was noted. Four patients were lost to followup, 1 in the 60 shock waves per minute group and 3 in the 120 shock waves per minute group. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients with complete followup 49 were treated at 60 shock waves per minute and 51 at 120 shock waves per minute. There was no statistically significant difference between mean stone area treated (p = 0.32) or additional analgesic use in the form of patient controlled alfentanil (p = 0.82). A successful outcome was defined by fragments smaller than 4 mm or stone-free status. At 60 shock waves per minute 59% of patients had a successful outcome compared with 61% at 120 shock waves per minute (p = 0.87) following a single treatment. Post-treatment complications were similar in both groups at 8% for 120 shock waves per minute and 10% for 60 shock waves per minute (p = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in patient controlled analgesia use, complications or outcome between rates 60 and 120. Contrary to previous studies these results suggest that a slower rate of shock wave delivery during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal calculi does not improve treatment efficacy with the Dornier Lithotripter S.     

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronically painful proximal plantar fasciitis with a conventional conservative treatment consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heel cup, orthoses and/or shoe modifications, local steroid injections and electrotherapy. Forty-seven patients (49 feet) with a previously unsuccessful conservative treatment of at least six months were randomized to two groups. Treatment of Group 1 (25 heels) started immediately with three sessions of ESWT (3000 shockwaves/session of 0.2 mJ/mm2) at weekly intervals. In the patients of Group 2 (24 heels) treatment was continued for 12 weeks. After this period they were treated using the protocol of Group 1. No significant difference of pain and walking time after further non-ESWT treatment (three months) was seen. Six months after ESWT pain decreased by 64% to 88% on the visual analog scale (VAS) and the comfortable walking time had increased significantly in both groups.