Early intervention of extracorporeal shockwave therapy sustained positive long-term effect on rotator cuff healing: A randomized controlled trial with 3-year follow-up

Background

The long-term effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on rotator cuff repair are unknown.

Objectives

To investigate the functional outcomes and structural changes of ESWT at 3-year follow-up after rotator cuff repair.

Methods

A randomized clinical trial was conducted, including patients who underwent rotator cuff repair. The patients were assigned to two groups based on whether they underwent radial ESWT 3 months postoperatively. The ESWT Group received 5 weeks of rehabilitation and ESWT weekly, whereas the CONTROL Group received only rehabilitation. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and functional scores were analyzed at 3 months (baseline), 6 months, and 3 years follow-up. In addition, MRI and ultrasonography were used to assess tendon maturation, integrity, tendon quality, acromiohumeral distance (AHD), and muscle fatty infiltration.

Results

Finally, 32 participants completed all the assessments. At the final follow-up, 2 patients in the ESWT Group (16.5 %) versus one patient in the CONTROL Group (6.25 %) had rotator cuff failure (P = 0.176). The ESWT treatment showed similar clinical outcomes in VAS-pain score, functional scores, tendon quality, AHD, and muscle fatty infiltration versus the CONTROL Group (Ps > 0.05). MRI analysis indicated improved tendon healing after ESWT treatment at both 6-month (P = 0.036) and 3-year follow-up (P = 0.028).

Conclusion

Early intervention with radial ESWT sustained long-term effects on the healing of the repaired rotator cuff and similar functional outcomes at long-term follow-up compared with standard rehabilitation.