Comparison of effects of low-level laser therapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in calcaneal spur treatment: A prospective, randomized, clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of calcaneal spurs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 62 patients (14 males, 48 females; mean age: 47.6±11.7 years; range, 18 to 70 years) who were diagnosed with calcaneal spurs based on clinical examination and plain radiography between April 2019 and September 2019 were included in this study. A total of 15 sessions of plantar fascia gastroc-soleus stretching exercises and cold pack treatments were given to both groups. The LLLT (904 nm wavelength, 3,000 Hz, 8 J/cm2 dose to the painful heel area and insertion of the plantar fascia on the medial calcaneal area, five points for a total of 5 min for three weeks) was applied to the first group (n=31), whereas ESWT (10 Hz, 2,000 shock waves with a 2.5 bar pressure into the areas of the painful heel, insertion of the plantar fascia on the medial calcaneal area) was applied the second group (n=31). All patients were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) before and after treatment. RESULTS: In both groups, the median VAS and FFI scores after treatment showed a significant improvement, compared to pre-treatment scores (p=0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the median post-treatment VAS scores (p>0.05). In the ESWT group, the median FFI pain and total scores after treatment were significantly lower than in the LLLT group (p=0.033). The change in the median FFI pain and total scores were significantly higher in the ESWT group (p=0.046). CONCLUSION: Both treatment modalities are effective and not superior to each other in terms of disability and activity limitation reduction, although a greater improvement in the FFI pain and total scores can be achieved with the ESWT. Based on these findings, we recommend both non-invasive treatment methods to be used in the treatment of calcaneal spurs in the clinical practice.

Comparison of the effects of extracorporeal shockwave treatment with kinesiological taping treatments added to exercise treatment in myofascial pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Although studies examined kinesiological taping (KT) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), no study has yet compared these two treatments. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of KT and ESWT on pain, pain threshold, functional level and neck movements in the treatment of MPS, which is an important cause of disability and constitutes 50-80% of chronic painful diseases. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-two patients diagnosed with MPS in the upper part of the unilateral trapeze muscle were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment they received: Group 1 (n= 75): ESWT + exercise, Group 2 (n= 82): KT + exercise, Group 3 (n= 105) and the latter receiving only exercise therapy (control group). Visual analog scale (VAS), pain threshold with algometer, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and neck contralateral lateral flexion angle were assessed before and three months after treatment. RESULTS: VAS, pain threshold, NDI and contralateral flexion angle values after treatment improved significantly in the ESWT and KT groups (p< 0.05) compared to the control group. The level of improvement in the ESWT group was higher (p< 0.05) than in the KT group in terms of VAS, pain threshold and NDI scores. CONCLUSION: Exercise, KT and ESWT applications in MPS were effective in all of the parameters examined. However, the ESWT + exercise therapy was more effective in terms of pain, pain threshold and disability.

Paravertebral intramuscular ozone therapy in lumbar disc hernia: A comprehensive retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies assessing the impacts of ozone on the musculoskeletal framework are slowly expanding. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we analyzed the impact of paravertebral ozone treatment (OT) injection treatment on distress and disability in patients with lumbar disc hernia (LDH). METHODS: The records of 432 patients with L4-5 and L5-S1 LDH were examined retrospectively. 298 patients who met the inclusion criteria and who provided written informed consent were divided into two groups. Each group received 15 sets of physiotherapy at a rate of five sets every week (study group (n= 139), control group (n= 159)). Six OT injections were applied solely to the study group, two days per week. A visual pain score (VAS) was set up for distress and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODI) for disablement was administered when the groups were called to control before treatment, towards the end of the treatment, and three months after the treatment ended. RESULTS: The groups had significantly reduced (p< 0.05) VAS and ODI scores following and three months after the treatment contrasted with their scores before the treatment. The Physiotherapy + OT group had significantly lower (p< 0.05) VAS and ODI scores than the physiotherapy group following and three months after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Paravertebral OT injection is quite a safe and helpful treatment technique in LDH patients. Further studies should be conducted to investigate the long-term outcomes of the paravertebral OT application.