Title: Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for orthopedic conditions: a systematic review on studies listed in the PEDro database

Authors: Christoph Schmitz, Nikolaus B M Császár, Stefan Milz, Matthias Schieker, Nicola Maffulli, Jan-Dirk Rompe, John P Furia

A systematic review analyzed studies listed in the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) to assess the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for orthopedic conditions. The study found that ESWT is an effective and non-invasive treatment option for tendon and other musculoskeletal pathologies.

The review highlighted several key findings. ESWT was shown to be both effective and safe for treating orthopedic conditions. The optimal treatment protocol for ESWT was identified as three sessions, with each session consisting of 2000 impulses and conducted at one-week intervals. The energy flux density used during treatment should be the highest that the patient can tolerate.

The review also questioned the categorization of ESWT into “low-energy” radial ESWT and “high-energy” focused ESWT, suggesting that this distinction should be abandoned due to lack of scientific evidence supporting its relevance to treatment outcomes.

Overall, the study supports the use of shockwave therapy as a beneficial treatment for orthopedic conditions. By using high-energy impulses, ESWT can effectively alleviate musculoskeletal pain and promote healing. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals and pave the way for further research to optimize the use of shockwave therapy in clinical practice.

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