Open AccessThe efficacy of ultrasound‐guided extracorporeal shockwave therapy in patients with cervical spondylosis and nuchal ligament calcification
Author(s) -
Lin TzYan,
Chen JingTing,
Chen YuYu,
Chen TienWen,
Lee ChiaLing,
Chen ChiaHsin,
Huang MaoHsiung
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the kaohsiung journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.439
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2410-8650
pISSN - 1607-551X
DOI - 10.1016/j.kjms.2015.05.003
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical spondylosis , extracorporeal shockwave therapy , range of motion , ultrasound , neck pain , visual analogue scale , surgery , rehabilitation , calcification , ligament , physical therapy , radiology , alternative medicine , pathology
We investigated the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on the rehabilitation of cervical spondylosis with nuchal ligament (NL) calcification under X‐ray and ultrasound guidance. Sixty patients with cervical spondylosis and calcification of NL were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: A, B, and C. Patients in Group A received rehabilitation with 20 minutes of hot packs and underwent 15 minutes of intermittent cervical traction three times/week for 6 weeks. Patients in Group B received the same rehabilitation as those in Group A and ESWT (2000 impulses, 0.27 mJ/mm 2 ) over the calcified NL guided by X‐ray image. Patients in Group C received the same treatment as those in Group B, but the ESWT was guided by musculoskeletal sonography. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by: changes in range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine including flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation; visual analog pain scale; and Neck Disability Index before and after treatment and at follow up 3 months later. We found a significant reduction in pain in each treated group after treatment and at follow up. However, patients in Groups B and C showed more improvements in ROM and neck pain relief after treatment and a decrease in Neck Disability Index. Furthermore, patients in Group C showed better cervical ROM at follow up than Group B. ESWT is an adjuvant treatment in the management of cervical spondylosis with calcification of NL and ultrasound‐guided ESWT results in more functional improvements.