[Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in epicondylitis humeri ulnaris or radialis--a prospective, controlled, comparative study].

AIM OF THE STUDY: Has extracorporal shockwave therapy in chronic golfer's elbow comparable results as in tennis elbow?

METHOD: 30 patients for extracorporal shockwave therapy who suffered from chronic medial epicondylitis (group I) and 30 patients with persistent tennis elbow (group II) received 500 impulses of 0.08 mJ/mm2 three times at weekly intervals. The final follow-up examination was done after 24 weeks.

RESULTS

Significant differences in relief of pain and improvement of function were observed in favour of group II. Good or excellent outcome was found in only 27% for the epicondylitis humeri ulnaris, but in 60% for epicondylitis humeri radialis.

CONCLUSION

The indication for extracorporeal shock-wave therapy in medial epicondylitis must be questioned.