Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of tennis elbow: the ASSERT database

Introduction: This study aimed to determinate the effectiveness of ESWT in the management of tennis elbow (TE) in both the short and long term. Methods: Participants were recruited by different clinicians of the National Health Service (NHS) and private sector centres in the United Kingdom. Data were collected in a web-based database [Assessment of the Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) for soft tissue Injuries (ASSERT)]. The 59 participants (mean age 52.51 ± 10.33 y) underwent a standardized ESWT protocol. At baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months following ESWT treatment, participants were evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain perception, the Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation scale (PRTEE) for functional limitation assessment, and the 6 scores of EuroQol-5D questionnaire (EQ-5D) for quality of life. Results: There was a significant improvement over time in 5 of the 8 analysed scores (all with at least (p=0.001). In particular, the scores which significantly improved were VAS, PRTEE, and 3 scores of EQ-5D (Pain/Discomfort, Usual Activities and Thermometer Scale). Conclusion: ESWT showed beneficial effects on TE over a 24-month follow-up period. Level of evidence: IV.