Extracorporal shock wave therapy in patients with tennis elbow and painfulheel

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracorporal shock wav e therapy (ESWT) in tennis elbow and painful heel. Nineteen patients with t ennis elbow and 44 patients with painful heel in which conservative treatme nt had failed underwent ESWT. Both groups received 3000 shock waves of 0.12 mJ/mm(2) three times at weekly intervals. After a follow-up of 5 and 6 mon ths respectively, pain measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased significantly in both groups. The success rate (excellent and good results) was 63% in tennis elbows and 70% in painful heels. ESWT seems to be a usef ul conservative alternative in the treatment of both conditions.