ESWT vs Cryo-US Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis: One Year Follow up Study

Inclusion Criteria: * an age range from 18 to 75 years * clinical or instrumental diagnosis of chronic lateral epicondylitis, present for at least three months * intensity of pain of more than 5 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) performing a maximum voluntary resisted isometric wrist extension with the elbow in extension (Cozen test) * the failure of conservative treatments previously made * a wash-out period of at least 12 weeks since the last conservative therapy carried out before inclusion in the study * capability of filling in the questionnaires and signing the consent form Exclusion Criteria: * Previous treatment with Cryo-US, ultrasound therapy, ESWT * The conjoint presence of bilateral or lateral and medial epicondylitis * Acute infection of the soft tissues or the bones adjacent to the area of treatment * Local bleedings or skin lesions, pathologies of the blood coagulation, or use of anticoagulant drugs * Pacemaker, pregnancy * Neoplastic disease * Raynaud's disease, altered thermal and pain sensitivity, or cold intolerance * Evidence of elbow bursitis, or articular or synovial pathologies; signs of elbow laxity or instability * Cervicobrachialgia; syndrome of ulnar, radial, or posterior interosseous nerve entrapment