AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThe findings indicate that both ESWT and HILT show considerable promise in managing conditions such as rotator cuff tendinopathy, calcific tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis, and subacromial impingement.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Shoulder disorders are among the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions, often resulting in pain, limited mobility, and reduced quality of life. In recent years, non-invasive modalities such as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) and High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) have gained recognition in physiotherapy for their potential to accelerate tissue healing and provide symptomatic relief without the risks of pharmacologic or surgical intervention. This article presents a narrative review of peer reviewed literature published between 2020 and 2025, selected using structured searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies were included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a focus on clinical outcomes, therapeutic mechanisms, and safety across various shoulder pathologies. The findings indicate that both ESWT and HILT show considerable promise in managing conditions such as rotator cuff tendinopathy, calcific tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis, and subacromial impingement. However, variability in treatment parameters, study quality, and outcome measures continues to hinder the development of standardized clinical guidelines. This review offers practical insight for clinicians and identifies critical gaps in the literature that should inform future research priorities, including protocol optimization and comparative effectiveness studies.
Özet
Shoulder disorders are among the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions, often resulting in pain, limited mobility, and reduced quality of life. In recent years, non-invasive modalities such as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) and High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) have gained recognition in physiotherapy for their potential to accelerate tissue healing and provide symptomatic relief without the risks of pharmacologic or surgical intervention. This article presents a narrative review of peer reviewed literature published between 2020 and 2025, selected using structured searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies were included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a focus on clinical outcomes, therapeutic mechanisms, and safety across various shoulder pathologies. The findings indicate that both ESWT and HILT show considerable promise in managing conditions such as rotator cuff tendinopathy, calcific tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis, and subacromial impingement. However, variability in treatment parameters, study quality, and outcome measures continues to hinder the development of standardized clinical guidelines. This review offers practical insight for clinicians and identifies critical gaps in the literature that should inform future research priorities, including protocol optimization and comparative effectiveness studies.