Effects of Local Microwave Diathermy on Shoulder Pain and Function in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy in Comparison to Subacromial Corticosteroid Injections: A Single-Blind Randomized Trial

Abstract

Shoulder pain is a common reason for consultation in general practice, with a 1-year prevalence ranging from 5% to 47% in the general population. 27Rotator cuff tendinopathy is the most common nontraumatic shoulder painful condition and affects about 20% of the population, with increasing prevalence over the course of aging. 28,33 The condition is characterized by a combination of pain and rotator muscle weakness, resulting in substantial limitations in overhead motor tasks and impairments in everyday activities. 26 The etiopathogenesis of rotator cuff tendinopathy is likely multifactorial and results from the participation of intrinsic (eg, changes in tendon collagen, proteoglycans, vascularity, and cellular- T T METHODS:Ninety-two patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy and pain lasting for at least 3 months were recruited from the outpatient clinic of

Systematic Review of Nondrug, Nonsurgical Treatment of Shoulder Conditions

“…84 They found significant improvements in pain and function at 4, 12, and 24 weeks post-intervention in both groups and no significant between-group differences at any time point on any measure.…”

“…Both groups improved in function significantly at 12 weeks and 1 year post-intervention, but there were no significant between-group differences at any time point. 77 Rotator Cuff-Associated Disorders 84 Physical Therapy.…”

Effectiveness of Diathermy in Comparison With Ultrasound or Corticosteroids in Patients With Tendinopathy: A Critically Appraised Topic

“…Other results indicated that there were no significant differences in QuickDASH scores or Constant-Murley Score for the participants when comparing diathermy with corticosteroids in the treatment of rotator-cuff tendinopathy. 3 The summary of these results would indicate that diathermy is significantly better at reducing pain than ultrasound treatments 1,2 and equally as effective at reducing pain levels as a corticosteroid injection. 3 Although the studies show statistically significant results, there are differences between the studies that must be noted.…”

“…In the studies reviewed for the CAT, diathermy treatments were compared with ultrasound treatment, 1,2 exercise protocols, 2 and corticosteroid injection treatment. 3 Both studies by Giombini et al 1,2 compared the effectiveness of diathermy as a treatment for tendinopathy with ultrasound. Those studies revealed that diathermy reduced the participants' pain levels significantly more than the ultrasound treatment.…”

“…[1][2][3] • Two high-quality RCTs 2,3 and 1 low-quality RCT were included. 1 • Two studies 1,2 demonstrated that diathermy was more effective at reducing pain than ultrasound, and 1 study 1 demonstrated that diathermy was equally as effective at reducing pain as corticosteroid treatments.…”