Low-Energy Versus Middle-Energy Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Treating Pes Anserine Bursitis

Raghad Talib Taha Khazraji; Siamak Bashardoust Tajali; Kazem Malmir; Ali Hussien Al-Hafidh

doi:10.18502/jmr.v18i2.15983

Raghad Talib Taha Khazraji Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Siamak Bashardoust Tajali Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Kazem Malmir Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali Hussien Al-Hafidh Department of Physical Therapy, Rheumatology and Medical Rehabilitation, School of Rehabilitation, College of Health and Medical Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v18i2.15983

Keywords: Shockwave; Pes anserine; Bursitis; Pain; Function

Abstract

Introduction: Pes anserine bursitis (PAB) is a painful status inside the knee that may interfere with functional activities. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWƬ) may treat this disorder.

Objective: Comparing the effects of low- versus middle-energy ESWƬ on pain and functional activity in patients with sub-acute PAB.

Materials and Methods The study was a single-blind randomized trial. Twenty-eight patients with sub-acute PAB were randomly divided into two groups and received either low or middleenergy ESWƬ for three weeks. The numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), timed up and go (TUG) test, and Western Ontario and McMaster universities index (WOMAC) were evaluated before and 2 and 3 weeks after the intervention.

Results: A significant improvement was observed for low-energy ESWT in terms of NPRS (P=0.001), SF-MPQ (P<0.001), WOMAC (P<0.001), and TUG (P<0.001) 3 weeks after the intervention. Also, a significant improvement was observed following middle-energy ESWT application on NPRS (P=0.003), SF-MPQ (P<0.001), WOMAC (P<0.001), and TUG (P<0.001) 3 weeks after the intervention. A similar trend was observed between study time points and for all variables in each group. The only exception was the TUG, which showed no improvement between 2 and 3 weeks after the intervention for each study group. A significant improvement was observed in the NPRS between the two groups after 2 weeks (P=0.001) and 3 weeks (P=0.006), both favoring the middle-energy ESWT application.

Conclusion: Low- and middle-energy ESWT can effectively improve pain, functional activity, and mobility in patients with PAB.