Diagnosis and treatment of frozen shoulder with shock-wave therapy

Introduction: Adhesive capsulitis is pathology of the gleno-humeral joint that causes joint pain and immobility. The cause in most cases is unknown. Conservative treatment is good but still unclear, ESWT is an adjunctive and effective therapy for treatment. Objectives: To analyze the effectiveness of Shock-Wave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of pain and ROM in frozen shoulder. Method: We based on 7 studies, taken from medical websites (PubMed,Medline, WebMD, MedScope). Patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis in all studies taken in reference were randomly divided into two groups. In studies [1], Extracorporeal shockwave therapy improves short-term functional outcomes of shoulder adhesive capsulitis and [3], Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Improves Functional Outcomes of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder in Patients With Diabetes one group was treated with ESWT, the other with oral AINS In studies [2]. The efficacy of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy in shoulder adhesive capsulitis: a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study one group was treated with ESWT, and the other with placebo treatment. In study [4], the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on frozen shoulder patients’ pain and functions. All patients received NSAIDs once a day. The subjects of this study were divided into the conservative physical therapy group one group was treated with ESWT, All subjects were treated 2 times a week for 6 weeks. In within-group comparisons of VAS and PSFS, both ESWT and CPT groups showed significant decreases in VAS and PSFS. In comparisons between VAS and PSFS groups, ESWTG showed much lower results compared to CPTG. In studies [6], Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Frozen Shoulder and [7] Shock Wave Therapy and Ultrasound Therapy plus Exercises for Frozen Shoulder Joint Clients, one group was treated with ESWT, the other with conservative physical therapy Results: For the studies considered it was observed that: patients treated with ESWT have an earlier and more noticeable improvement in pain and functionality, articular ROM compared to the effect from other treatments such as: (placebo, AINS, conservative treatment, ultrasound) applied to patients. Conclusions: Based on the above studies, it is concluded that ESWT is more effective in treating pain and functionality, articular ROM, compared to other treatments applied to the groups of patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis.