Abstract
Aim
To determine the effect of the use of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) in the treatment of patellar tendinopathy.
Methods
Between 2005 and 2010, twenty eight patients (34 knees), who showed poor or no result from conservative management, had rESWT for patellar tendinopathy. The device used is Swiss Dolorclast¯(EMS, Switzerland). All patients received three weekly sessions of 2000 impulses at 3.0 bar (energy flux density = 0.14 mJ/mm2) and a frequency of 15 Hz. We assessed pain, function and activity and quality of life of the patient before and three months after treatment using KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score).
Results
There were 21 males (25 knees) and 7 females (9 knees) with a median age of 31 years (18 - 60). Twenty two of the 28 patients (78.6%) reported excellent or good improvement. After three months of treatment with rESWT, the average KOOS score increased from 50.4 to 71.1 (p = 0.004).
Conclusion
This study has shown that radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy demonstrated an improvement in the functional activity and reduction in the pain. Patellar tendinopathy that does not respond to conservative management can be successfully treated with rESWT.
