Shock waves in the treatment of post-traumatic myositis ossificans.
Myositis ossificans (MO) is a fairly common evolution in sports activity and can be due to direct trauma or to repeated micro-injuries. The traditional therapeutic approach relies on a variety of treatments, such as physical therapy but evidence of their proven clinical efficacy is lacking. The latest therapeutic option is surgical removal but this is a demolitive procedure and is frequently associated with a significant loss of functional integrity. There are few articles in literature about the treatment of post-traumatic MO, and none on extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). We illustrate a case series of 24 sportsmen treated with three sessions of electro-hydraulic shockwave therapy and an associated rehabilitation program. Only a partial reduction of the ossification was observed in the X-ray images but all the patients showed signs of functional improvement immediately after therapy. Two months after the therapy, a normal range of motion and no signs of weakness were observed. Three months after treatment, 87.5% of patients resumed regular sports activities.
Shock Wave Therapy Division, Department of Specialist Rehabilitation, Hospital of Lodi (LO), Lodi, Italy.
Paolo
P
Buselli
Valeria
V
Coco
Angela
A
Notarnicola
Sara
S
Messina
Raoul
R
Saggini
Silvio
S
Tafuri
Lorenzo
L
Moretti
Biagio
B
Moretti
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005269:Femur / Q000293:injuries*; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009221:Myositis Ossificans / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult