Shock Wave Therapy for calcific tendonitis of the shoulder. A prospective clinical study with two-year follow-up

Authors: Ching-Jen Wang et al.

References: Presented at AAOS 2003

Abstract
A prospective clinical study assessed the effectiveness of shock wave therapy for calcific tendonitis of the shoulder. The study group consisted of 37 patients (39 shoulders) with an average age of 51(36 - 66) years, and an average follow-up of 24.7 (24 to 30) months. The control group consisted of 6 patients (6 shoulders) with an average age of 53 (36 - 65) years, and an average follow-up of 6.0 (5 - 8) months. The treatment of the study group consisted of application of 1000 impulses of shock wave at 14 kv to the affected shoulder. The sham treatment for the control group was performed with a dummy electrode that no acoustic shock wave energy was generated. The evaluations included the intensity of pain based on VAS from 0 to 10, a 100-point Constant scoring system and radiographic examinations of the shoulder. The overall results were 60.6% excellent, 30.3% good, 3.0% fair and 6.1% poor for the study group; and 0 excellent, 0 good, 16.7% fair and 83.3% poor for the control group. The recurrence rate was 6.5%. Dissolution of calcium deposits was 57.6% complete, 15.1% partial and 27.3% unchanged for the study group, and 0 complete, 16.7% partial and 83.3% unchanged for the control group. No recurrence of calcium deposits was observed in two years. There was no device-related problems, no systemic or local complications. Shock wave therapy is a new therapeutic modality with effectiveness and safety in the treatment of calcific tendonitis of the shoulder.