The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) an lateral epicondylitis of the elbow.

Twenty-four patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis were treated with shock waves. The patients were evaluated by assessing of pain using visual analog scale (VAS) and a simple elbow test (SET). Overall clinical outcomes were evaluated using Roles and Maudsley scores at 12 months after ESWT.

Significant symptom improvement were observed in 20 (83%) patients at the 12 months follow up according to the Roles and Maudesley scores. Average SET and VAS scores were also significantly improved after ESWT (p<0.05).

This study suggests that shock waves therapy could be considered as an effective and noninvasive treatment modality for refractory lateral epicondylitis of the elbow.