RESUMO
Extracorporeal shock waves are unique sound waves that generate a rapid increase in pressure in the tissues in which they are applied. They were first used on the management of urolithiasis and later spread to other pathologies such as musculoskeletal. A series of studies have been carried out to support the usefulness of shock waves in patients with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, epicondylitis, rotator cuff injury with or without calcification, patellar tendinopathy and peritrochanteric pathology that has lasted more than three months and have not responded to the initial handling. There is no consensus regarding the specific protocols to be used. In these conditions, shock waves are only a part of a comprehensive treatment, and should always be associated with other conventional therapies. (AU)