A recent scientific review showed that shockwave therapy may help reduce pain in people with frozen shoulder, with a possible improvement in arm movement, especially in the short term.
Researchers from the Department of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences at the University of Manchester in the UK stated in a review published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on Wednesday that this treatment relies on a device that sends sound pulses to the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint through the skin, aiming to reduce pain and stimulate a tissue response, without the need for surgical intervention.
Comparison of treatments and their effectiveness
The researchers compared several treatments used for frozen shoulder in terms of their effectiveness in reducing pain and improving movement, along with their potential side effects. The results showed that shockwave therapy may reduce pain in the short term compared to usual care, while some evidence pointed to a possible improvement in arm movement, although the strength of the evidence regarding this aspect was lower.
Other treatment options
The review indicated that moving the shoulder joint by a doctor under anesthesia, which allows increasing its range of motion without the patient feeling pain during the procedure, may help improve the ability to raise the arm forward and upward, whether accompanied by injections of anti-inflammatory steroid drugs or not.
Nature of the condition and recommendations
Frozen shoulder occurs due to thickening and stiffening of the tissues surrounding the joint, causing pain and limiting arm movement, making it difficult for the patient to raise it or move it behind the back. The condition appears more frequently in people aged 40 to 60, with higher incidence rates among women compared to men.
The researchers pointed out that evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of most other treatments, as well as the extent to which their benefits persist in the long term, remains limited, making it difficult to determine the best treatment at this time. They emphasized the importance of choosing treatment according to the patient's condition, the duration of the injury, and their preferences, while considering potential benefits, costs, and risks.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)