title: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) as a treatment for recurrent Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification (NHO).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO).
  
  
  METHODS
  A single case study was considered the most appropriate methodology in this situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subject was a 43 year old female 10 years post-traumatic brain injury with recurring NHO around the hip joint. Baseline assessments of pain using a 10-point VAS, range of motion of the hip using a goniometer and walking ability (number of steps over a standard distance) were conducted. Four applications of ESWT using a Minispec™ Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy machine (Medispec Int. USA) administered over 6 weeks to the anterolateral aspect of the right hip. Follow-up assessments were conducted weekly over the period of intervention and then monthly for 5 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immediately following treatment, pain was reduced to 0 on the VAS scale; hip range of motion increased and the number of steps over a standard distance reduced, indicating increased step length. At 5-month follow-up, without further ESWT intervention, these results were maintained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case study suggests that ESWT may be a non-invasive, low risk intervention for the management of NHO.
authors: School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland4811, Australia. jackie.reznik@jcu.edu.au
authors: Jacqueline E
authors: JE
authors: Reznik
authors: Susan J
authors: SJ
authors: Gordon
authors: Ruth N
authors: RN
authors: Barker
authors: Ofer
authors: O
authors: Keren
authors: Yuval
authors: Y
authors: Arama
authors: Mary P
authors: MP
authors: Galea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome