ΕλληνικάRadial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) for the Treatment of Ankle Injuries
N. G. Malliaropoulos MD, MSc in Sports Medicine, PhD, F FIMS
A. I. Akritidou PT, MSc in Exercise & Health
D.Christodoulou PT
Thessaloniki Sports injuries clinic.
Aim: Extra corporal shockwave therapy(ESWT) has been applied for insertion tendinopathies since 10 years.. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of ballistic ESWT in the treatment of ankle injuries.
Method: During the period 09/2003-05/2005, 24 patients suffering from ankle injuries were presented to our Sports Injury Clinic All these ankle injures was presented to us 4 week to 6 months post injury. Their major complain was pain during daily activities and Sports participation. From those 24 athletes, 10 were sub acute (4 to 7 weeks), and the rest 14 were chronic (more than 7 weeks). The protocol that we followed was:
Thorough clinical examination, X-rays, Range of motion measurements of the injured side, compared to the healthy side, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), their ability to participation in their sport. The RSWT was applied as a treatment, and all the injuries. The sub acutes, were treated with 3 sessions with an energy flux density corresponding from 1,5 - 2 bars working pressure, working frequency 6Hz and 2000 impulses each, one session per week, While the injuries that were in a chronic stage, were treated with 4 sessions. Follow up was done at 4, 5, 8, 12 weeks and 6, 12 months
Results: All the patients returned to their pre-injury participation in training activities, with equal range of motion in both sides, and without pain during daily activities.
Conclusion: Our encouraging preliminary results of this prospective pilot study on RSWT for sub acute and chronic ankle injuries, seems to be a safe, non invasive and effective therapy, compared to other therapies. Further research using controlled and randomized studies is needed
Keyword: LATERAL Ankle Injuries, Shockwave therapy
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