Abstract: Objective To observe the cardiovascular safety and efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in orthopedic chronic overuse syndrome. Methods Patients with chronic overuse syndrome in Orthopedic Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Center in Jishuitan Hospital between May 2015 and March 2016 were prospectively selected. Parameters including breath rate, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation during therapy were documented in the patients’ first course of treatment. Visual Analogue Score (VAS) was also recorded. Data were collected and compared before, during and after treatment. Patients with hypertension were analyzed in a subgroup. Results A total of 628 patients were enrolled, with an average age of 45.3±14.6 years old (13~89), among which there were 94 patients with hypertension. There was an increase of VAS scores during therapy but no significant difference in heart rate, breath rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation (P>0.05), and there was significant reduction between VAS before and after treatment (6.34±1.98 and 3.89±1.69, respectively) (P=0.000). There was no case of abnormally changed breath rate, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. The results in hypertension subgroup were consistent with overall patients. Conclusion Extracorporeal shock wave therapy did not increase stress of cardiovascular system during therapy, even in patients with hypertension. It could relieve the pain of orthopedic chronic overuse syndrome significantly.

Key words: extracorporeal shock wave therapy, chronic overuse syndrome, complication, cardiovascular system