AMSSM Sports Medcasts Top Sports Medicine Articles Podcast – ESWT for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Jan 20, 2026
Dr. Peter Rippey, a sports medicine physician and program director at the University of South Alabama, dives into the intriguing world of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for rotator cuff tendinopathy. He discusses a systematic review that analyzes 17 trials and over 1,100 patients, shedding light on how this therapy shows promise for pain and function improvements. While results are encouraging, he emphasizes the need for standardized trials to better understand efficacy. Tune in for insights that could reshape rehabilitation approaches!
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Scope And Variability Of The Review
- The systematic review pooled 17 RCTs with 1,131 patients to assess shockwave therapy for rotator cuff tendinopathy.
- Most participants were aged 50–60 and studies varied in diagnosis, shockwave type, and protocols.
Treatment Dosage And Outcome Measures
- Most trials delivered 4–10 weekly sessions and the majority used radial shockwave while some used focal devices.
- Outcomes included pain and function measures like VAS, UCLA, ASES, and Constant scores with BAS as primary.
Heterogeneity And Bias Limit Certainty
- The review noted high heterogeneity across trials due to different machines, protocols, and diagnostic criteria.
- Several included studies carried a risk of bias that limits certainty of pooled results.