title: EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE TERAPY TO TREAT CHRONIC MUSCLE INJURY.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the low energy extracorporeal shock waves therapy (ESWT) associated with physical therapy in the treatment of chronic muscle injuries classified as grades 2 and 3 in the lower limbs of amateur athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight athletes presenting with lower limb muscle injury for more than three weeks were treated with physiotherapy and ESWT. We evaluated the following parameters during treatment: palpable gap, muscle strength, pain, and Tegner score, as well as ultrasound image features and the ability to return to sports practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average time of the first evaluation of the injury was 8.75 weeks. All patients presented muscle strength grade V after eight weeks. The pain score evolved from 5.75 to 0.5 points of the visual analogue scale (VAS), at the end of the treatment. The Tegner score after treatment was six points on average. Patients returned to sports practice after 8.14 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ESWT associated with physical therapy proved to be effective to treat long-term muscle injury, with good performance and the ability to return to sport practice for all patients. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series, Prospective Study.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diego Costa
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Astur
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Ramalho
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: de Moraes
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Gonçalves
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Arliani
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto Dias
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alberto de Castro
authors.initials: Ade C
authors.lastname: Pochini
keywords: Wounds and injuries. Athletes. Lower extremity. Muscle; skeletal.