| Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of different energy extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) in the treatment of chondromalacia patella. Methods: Totally 120 cases of chondromalacia patella were selected, and randomly divided into groups A, B and C (40 cases each). The group A was treated with low ESW, the group B with medium ESW, and the group C with intraarticular injection of sodium hyaluronate. The quadriceps femoris peak moment, visual analogue scale （VAS） and Lysholm scale were used before and after treatment. The complications during treatment and follow-up were recorded. Results: The PT value in all three groups after treatment was increased (P<0.05). The PT value in the group A was significantly higher than that in the group B and group C (P<0.05). The VAS scores in the group A were lower than those in the group B and group C (P<0.05) at the end of treatment and 6 months after treatment. There was no significant difference between the group B and group C. The Lysholm score in the three groups after treatment was higher than that before the treatment (P<0.05). The Lysholm score in the group A was higher than that in the group B and group C (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications among the three groups. Conclusion: ESW treatment can effectively treat patellar chondromalacia, and the safety is comparable to that of sodium hyaluronate intraarticular injection. The low ESW is superior to medium ESW in the treatment of patellar chondromalacia, and the safety of two kinds of energy are equivalent. |
