Low-energy extracorporal shock wave therapy for persistent tennis elbow

Fifty patients who suffered from persistent tennis elbow for more than 12 months, and were referred for surgical treatment, were assigned at random to 2 groups of low-energy extracorporal shock wave therapy. Group I received a total of 3000 impulses of 0.08 mJ/mm2; group II (controls) 30 impulses of 0.08 mJ/mm2. Follow up was after 3 and 12 weeks. We found no significant differences between the 2 groups before treatment, there was but significant relief of pain and improvement of function in group I with good or excellent outcome in 56% at the last evaluation.