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Int J Sports Med 2002; 23(3): 207-211
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-23180
Orthopedics and Clinical Science

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Hyperthermia at 434 MHz in the Treatment of Overuse Sport Tendinopathies: A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

A.  Giombini1 , A.   Di Cesare2 , G.  Casciello2 , D.  Sorrenti2 , S.  Dragoni1 , P.  Gabriele3
  • 1Institute of Sport Science, Italian National Olympic Committee, Rome, Italy
  • 2Post- Graduate School in Sport Medicine, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
  • 3Radiotherapy Department, Mauriziano Hospital and IRCC, Turin, Italy
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Publication History



August 22, 2001

Publication Date:
26 March 2002 (online)

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Abstract

The objective of this randomized study was to compare a thermotherapy system, hyperthermia at 434 MHz and conventional ultrasound in the treatment of overuse sports tendinopathies. The study group consisted of 44 athletes, 33 males and 11 females (age 26 ± 4.56 years) affected by tendinopathies at lower extremities (patellar or achilles tendons). After elucidation of the kind of trial, 22 patients were randomly assigned to hyperthermia and 22 to ultrasound. The patients received after a pain measurement and ultrasound scanning 12 treatments, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The same standardized examination was done at the end of treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment. The assessor physician was unaware of the treatment allocation . The patients were asked to rate the ultimate outcome on the base of pain resolution and return to sports activity. Both groups had a significant decrease of symptoms (P<0.001). Hyperthermia, however, demonstrated better effects on the reduction of VAS score and on the subjective overall satisfaction (77 %) of excellent and good results in comparison to the 33 % of ultrasound. In patients with chronic overuse tendinopathies hyperthermia at 434 MHz showed encouraging results, with short-term clinical improvement, safety and no side effects.

Key words

Overuse injury - ultrasound - physical therapy - microwave diathermy - achilles tendon - patellar tendon

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A. Giombini

Institute of Sport Science

Via dei Campi Sportivi 46 · 00197 Rome · Italy ·

Phone: +39 (6)36859106

Fax: +39 (6)368592256

Email: agiombo@hotmail.com