Association between radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with physical therapy and treatment outcomes in lateral epicondylitis of the humerus: A propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have evaluated the combined effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) and physical therapy for lateral epicondylitis while adequately controlling for confounding factors. This study aimed to investigate the association between physical therapy combined with rESWT and treatment outcomes in patients with lateral epicondylitis of the humerus.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study used propensity score-matched analysis and included 111 patients with lateral epicondylitis who underwent rehabilitation between 2010 and 2024. Patients received either physical therapy alone or physical therapy combined with rESWT delivered using a MasterPuls MP100 device. Treatment outcomes were assessed using patient-reported pain improvement on the Numerical Rating Scale, tenderness on palpation, and the chair test.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, a total of 86 patients were analyzed (43 per group). Patients who received rESWT demonstrated significantly higher odds of achieving a favorable treatment outcome than those who did not receive rESWT (odds ratio, 10.41; 95% confidence interval, 3.80-32.52; p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION: Physical therapy combined with rESWT was associated with a substantially higher likelihood of pain improvement in patients with lateral epicondylitis. These findings provide preliminary evidence suggesting that the addition of rESWT to physical therapy may be associated with improved clinical outcomes.