[Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome: case report]

Abstract

Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome presents with pain and restricted joint movement, associated with calcification of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the knee. Although standard treatment typically involves conservative management or minimally invasive techniques, we present a case where extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) played a decisive role in clinical recovery. The case involves a 66-year-old female patient with chronic knee pain and no clear history of trauma, diagnosed via imaging with persistent ligament calcification. An initial ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage was performed, resulting in partial and temporary improvement. However, after starting ESWT, the patient experienced sustained clinical improvement, with a reduction in pain (VAS from 8 to 0) and significant functional recovery. This case highlights the effectiveness of shock wave therapy as a primary therapeutic tool in the treatment of chronic and refractory ligament calcifications, suggesting it as a first-line option for patients with similar clinical characteristics.

Keywords: Calcificación ligamentosa; Ligamentous calcification; Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome; Shock wave therapy; Síndrome de Pellegrini-Stieda; Terapia con ondas de choque.