Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc
The value of intermittent ultrasound treatment in subacromial impingement syndrome
Abstract
Objectives: The role of intermittent ultrasound in the conservative treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) has not been clarified. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound treatment in SIS.
Methods: Thirty-six patients (29 females, 7 males; mean age 51 years; range 40 to 69 years) with type II SIS were randomized to two groups to receive intermittent ultrasound (group 1, n=20) and placebo ultrasound (group 2, n=16) for three weeks (15 sessions). All the patients received the same standard physical therapy and rehabilitation modalities besides ultrasound treatment. Evaluations were made before and three and six weeks after treatment. Functional results were assessed by the Constant score, pain was assessed by a visual analog scale, and range of motion was measured.
Results: Within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in both groups three and six weeks after treatment (p0.05). The Constant score improved from 43.7±12.9 to 65.7±7.7 in group 1, and from 43.9±16.4 to 65.3±7.6 in group 2. Pain scores decreased from 5.5 to 2 and from 5 to 1 in group 1 and 2, respectively. Improvements in Constant scores and pain scores were similar in both groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that intermittent ultrasound added to conservative treatment of SIS do not provide an additional benefit to the patients.
Methods: Thirty-six patients (29 females, 7 males; mean age 51 years; range 40 to 69 years) with type II SIS were randomized to two groups to receive intermittent ultrasound (group 1, n=20) and placebo ultrasound (group 2, n=16) for three weeks (15 sessions). All the patients received the same standard physical therapy and rehabilitation modalities besides ultrasound treatment. Evaluations were made before and three and six weeks after treatment. Functional results were assessed by the Constant score, pain was assessed by a visual analog scale, and range of motion was measured.
Results: Within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in both groups three and six weeks after treatment (p0.05). The Constant score improved from 43.7±12.9 to 65.7±7.7 in group 1, and from 43.9±16.4 to 65.3±7.6 in group 2. Pain scores decreased from 5.5 to 2 and from 5 to 1 in group 1 and 2, respectively. Improvements in Constant scores and pain scores were similar in both groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that intermittent ultrasound added to conservative treatment of SIS do not provide an additional benefit to the patients.
References
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