Low-energy versus middle-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy for the treatment of snapping scapula bursitis

Objective: extracorporeal shockwave therapy (eswt) has been used successfully in treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. our objective was to assess the effectiveness of low versus middle-energy eswt on snapping scapula bursitis. methods: thirty-five patients,divided into two groups,group (l),received low-energy eswt,group (m) received middle-energy eswt. groups were evaluated at 1,3,6 and 12 months using the visual analogue scale (vas),the constant-murley scoring (cms) and the roles and maudsley criteria. results: in groups (l) and (m),vas average values after 1,3,6 months and one year were (43±5.17,38±4.33,28±4.18 and 19±3.39) and (37±4.85,26±4.74,21±4.45 and 7±3.42) respectively. at six and twelve months,statistical difference was detected,p (0.034,0.026) respectively. after one year of completing the treatment,the average values of cms were (83.5±6.44 and 91±5.33) respectively,p=0.046. roles and maudsley criteria demonstrated that,patients in group (l),6 (35%) excellent,5 (29%) good,4 (24%) acceptable and 2 (12%) had poor results. whereas,patients in group (m),11 (61%) excellent,3 (17%) good,3 (17%) acceptable and 1 (5%) had poor results. conclusion: although low-energy eswt showed good early-term results,but middle-energy eswt protocol demonstrated better early-term,mid-term,and late-term results. © 2017,professional medical publications. all rights reserved.