Reduced local perfusion after shock wave treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy

Angela Notarnicola; Lorenzo Moretti; Silvio Tafuri; Maria Forcignanò; Vito Pesce; Biagio Moretti

doi:10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2010.11.019

Reduced local perfusion after shock wave treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2011 Mar;37(3):417-25. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2010.11.019.

Authors

Angela Notarnicola¹, Lorenzo Moretti, Silvio Tafuri, Maria Forcignanò, Vito Pesce, Biagio Moretti

Affiliation

¹ Department of Clinical Methodology and Surgical Techniques, Orthopedics Section, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of University of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy. angelanotarnicola@yahoo.it

PMID: 21316560
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2010.11.019

Abstract

A marked neovascularity has been demonstrated in tendinopathies, due to the inflammatory-degenerative process. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on tissue perfusion in the treatment of tendinopathy. An observational clinical study was made of 30 patients undergoing ESWT for tendinopathy of the rotator cuff. A clinical improvement was obtained in 65.6% of patients at 2 and 6 months. This was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the oxygen tissue saturation, measured by oxymetry that was apparent already during treatment, as well as at subsequent follow-up visits. The reduced perfusion achieved with ESWT supports the hypothesis that this treatment can regulate the inflammatory process and offset increased vascularization, restoring physiologic tendon conditions.

Publication types

Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

Aged
Blood Flow Velocity / radiation effects*
Female
Humans
Lithotripsy / methods*
Male
Middle Aged
Oxygen / metabolism*
Rotator Cuff / metabolism*
Rotator Cuff / radiation effects*
Tendinopathy / physiopathology*
Tendinopathy / therapy*

Substances

Oxygen