Annotated Bibliography
Results of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Peer Reviewed Research

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Articles addressing Elbow ESWT Results
Summary: ESWT is a conservative treatment with success that is effective for patients who have failed multiple other conservative treatments.

Rompe, Jan, et al. "Analgesic Effect of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Chronic tennis Elbow" The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Vol. 78-B, No 2 March 1996 233-237.
Study Type: Prospective with control group
Results: Treated group 24 week Success: 48% Excellent/good; 42% Acceptable. Control group 24 week Results: 6% Excellent/good; 24% Acceptable.
Following failure of conservative therapy, patients were treated with shockwave therapy. The treated group success may be attributed to hyperstimulation of the affected area. The intense stimulation activates fibers of small diameter which project to cells in the periaqueductal grey area causing the activation of the serotonergic system which modulates the inhibitory control of transmission of pain.

Hammer, Dietrich, et al. "Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in patients with tennis elbow and painful heel." Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, (2000) 120: 304-307.
Study Type: Prospective
Results: Tennis elbow 5 month Success: 63%. Painful heel 6 month Success: 70%
Following failure of conservative treatments ESWT is a useful conservative treatment.

Rompe, J.D., et al. "Low-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy for persistent tennis elbow." International Orthopaedics, (1996) 20: 23-27.
Study Type: Randomized study with control
Results: Success Rate at 12 weeks: 56%
Following failure of conservative treatments (including at least one steroid injection), patients who were referred for surgical treatment were randomized into one of two ESWT treated groups. The group which received a full treatment at full strength had significant relief of pain and improvement of function.


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