ABSTRACT
This retrospective study investigated the effect and safety of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).In this retrospective study, 105 patients with KOA were included. Of those, 60 patients underwent ESWT, whereas 45 patients received laser therapy. Effect was measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). In addition, adverse events (AEs) were also recorded in this study. All outcome measurements were evaluated at the end of weeks 1, 6, and 12.Compared with the laser therapy, ESWT showed greater effect in KOA symptoms relief with regard to NRS, WOMAC total, and its subscores at week 6 (Pâ<â.05) and week 12 (Pâ<â.01) after treatment. No AE, however, occurred in both groups.The results of this retrospective study found that ESWT may be efficacious and safe for the treatment of patients with KOA. It, however, had an intrinsic limitation as a retrospective study. Prospective study with larger sample size is still needed to warrant the result of this study in the future.
Subject(s)
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy/methods , Laser Therapy/methods , Osteoarthritis, Knee/therapy , Aged , Arthralgia/therapy , Female , Humans , Knee Joint , Male , Middle Aged , Pain Measurement , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) for treating patients with chronic rotator cuff tendonitis (CRCT). METHODS: In this study, 84 patients with CRCT were randomly divided into intervention and control groups in a ratio of 1:1. Patients in the intervention group received ESWT, whereas those in the control group received placebo. The primary outcome was measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The secondary outcomes were measured by the Constant-Murley score (CMS), simple shoulder test (SST) score, and adverse events. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, ESWT showed greater efficacy in shoulder pain relief with regard to NRS score and shoulder function as measured by using CMS and SST score at 4 weeks (Pâ<â.05) and 8 weeks (Pâ<â.01) after treatment. However, no adverse events occurred in both groups. CONCLUSION: ESWT was efficacious and safe for treating patients with CRCT.
