Does tennis elbow only affect athletes?

No. It can also affect people whose work or daily activities involve repeated gripping and wrist loading.

Can shockwave therapy replace clinical assessment?

No. Elbow pain may have different causes and should be assessed before treatment selection.

Who should operate the system?

Use should follow local requirements, professional training and the applicable product instructions.

SHOCKIS / CLINICAL APPLICATION

Tennis Elbow

Disease Overview

Lateral epicondylitis — commonly known as tennis elbow — is characterized by chronic degeneration at the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. It is usually caused by injury or overuse. This condition is frequently associated with repetitive gripping, wrist extension, and occupational or athletic loads involving the forearm extensor muscles.

Typical Symptoms and Associated Factors

Symptoms include pain, weakness, and stiffness on the lateral side of the elbow. Associated factors encompass repetitive manual tasks, weakness in the shoulder and wrist muscles, as well as training or occupational loads that exceed the adaptive capacity of the tendon.

Clinician palpating the lateral epicondyle of a patient's elbow

Professional Evaluation

The diagnosis is based on a comprehensive clinical history, physical examination, and exclusion of alternative causes such as radial nerve entrapment or elbow osteoarthritis.

Clinical examination of the lateral elbow, including resisted wrist extension tests

Conservative Management

Conservative treatments include rest, ice application, analgesic medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, orthoses, physical therapy, and eccentric training/stretching. Glucocorticoid injection is a separate intervention that may be considered for specific patients, with individualized assessment of potential benefits and risks. Treatment selection should be tailored to the individual clinical situation.

Applying coupling gel to the forearm during conservative treatment

ESWT: Potential Mechanisms and Limitations of Evidence

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses a device to deliver acoustic shock waves through the skin to the affected area. The exact mechanisms by which this therapy may exert effects on tendinopathy have not been fully elucidated. The evidence base for ESWT in lateral epicondylitis is inconsistent.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy being applied to the lateral elbow

Contact with SHOCKIS

Clinicians and procurement professionals evaluating shock wave therapy systems for lateral epicondylar tendinopathy should consider device-specific characteristics and the applicable regulatory status in their respective regions. The evidence summarized above reflects the broader ESWT literature and does not constitute validation of any specific SHOCKIS product for any particular indication. If you wish to discuss how SHOCKIS can support your clinical or procurement needs, our team is welcome to hear from you.

Clinical Workflow Checklist

01CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
Review patient history, symptoms, and contraindications.
02TARGET AREA IDENTIFICATION
Identify the treatment area through clinical examination and appropriate imaging when needed.
03TREATMENT SETUP
Select treatment parameters according to clinical assessment, device instructions, and patient tolerance.
04SHOCKWAVE APPLICATION
Apply coupling gel and deliver treatment while monitoring patient response.
05POST-TREATMENT CARE
Clean the treatment area and applicator, and provide appropriate aftercare guidance.

Safety Information

The information below describes conditions and reactions generally associated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy. It does not replace the instructions for use of the specific SHOCKIS device. Clinicians must verify applicability against the current device labeling and their own clinical judgment.

Contraindications & Precautions

Shock wave therapy should not be applied, or should be applied only with particular caution, in the following situations:

Known hemorrhagic disorders or coagulation dysfunction
Thrombosis in or adjacent to the intended treatment area
Severe cognitive impairment or psychiatric illness
Implanted pacemakers or other active electronic implants
Tumors located in the treatment area
Pregnancy, particularly the lower abdominal region
Ruptured or severely injured tendons and fasciae, as well as regions containing the brain, spinal cord, large blood vessels, or major nerve trunks
Regions containing abdominal organs, especially lung tissue
Bone defects exceeding 2 cm
Joint fluid leakage
Growing pains in pediatric patients

Any other condition deemed unsuitable by the treating physician.

Potential Adverse Reactions

The following reactions may occur at or near the treatment site:

Local hematoma, ecchymosis, or petechiae
Temporary intensification of pain shortly after treatment
Local numbness, needle-like sensation, or hypoesthesia
High-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy may cause local nerve or vascular injury

These reactions are generally transient and typically resolve within approximately one week without special treatment.

References