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. 2019 May 3;8(1):77-86.
doi: 10.1080/21556660.2019.1605370. eCollection 2019.

ESWT and nutraceutical supplementation (Tendisulfur Forte) vs ESWT-only in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and rotator cuff tendinopathy: a comparative study

Matteo Vitali  1 , Nadim Naim Rodriguez  2 , Pierluigi Pironti  1 , Andreas Drossinos  1 , Gaia Di Carlo  3 , Anshuman Chawla  3 , Fraschini Gianfranco  1
Affiliations

ESWT and nutraceutical supplementation (Tendisulfur Forte) vs ESWT-only in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and rotator cuff tendinopathy: a comparative study

Matteo Vitali et al. J Drug Assess. .

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in combination with the dietary supplement Tendisulfur Forte in the treatment of shoulder tendinopathy, lateral epicondylitis, and Achilles tendinopathy. Methods: Patients were sub-divided for each pathology into two equal sized groups of 15: one treated with ESWT supplemented with Tendisulfur Forte, and the other treated with ESWT only. Shoulder functionality was measured through the UCLA shoulder score. Treatment of epicondylitis was assessed with the Mayo elbow score. Achilles tendinopathy was measured with the VISA-A score. Pain through the various groups of the study was measures with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: Patients in the Tendisulfur Forte group had overall better functional and VAS scale scores for shoulder tendinopathy, elbow epicondylitis, and Achilles tendinopathy. UCLA scores for shoulder tendinopathy showed significant results at 60 days in the Tendisulfur Forte group (p = 0.0002). Mayo scores in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis was significant at 60 days in the study group (p < 0.0001). Achilles tendinopathy was improved in the study group at 30 days (p < 0.0001). VAS scales were significant for each pathology at 60 days (p < 0.0001). In addition, NSAIDs consumption was greatly reduced and, in most cases, stopped in the Tendisulfur Forte Groups. Conclusion: Concerning the results obtained, this paper underlines the effectiveness of combined treatment of ESWT plus Tendisulfur Forte, in the absence of side-effects. Indeed, oral supplementation lead to a faster recovery and better outcomes with a significant reduction in NSAIDs consumption.

Keywords: Achilles tendon; Extracorporeal shockwave therapy; dietary supplement; elbow; rotator cuff; tendinopathy.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
ESWT performed to the Achilles tendon.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
ESWT performed to the shoulder.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
ESWT performed to the elbow.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Within-group trajectories and between-group within-time difference for shoulder VAS scores.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Within-group trajectories and between-group within-time difference for shoulder UCLA scores.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Within-group trajectories and between-group within-time difference for elbow VAS scores.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Within-group trajectories and between-group within-time difference for Mayo elbow scores.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Within-group trajectories and between-group within-time difference for Achilles tendinopathy VAS scores.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
Within-group trajectories and between-group within-time difference for Achilles VISA-A scores.
Figure 10.
Figure 10.
Graph Showing overall NSAIDs consumption, taking into consideration all participants from the Tendisulfur Forte group and the control groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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