English

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare and measure the effectiveness of Ultrasound therapy with exercises versus Laser therapy with exercises on affected shoulder in reducing pain which can be measured by Visual Analogue Scale in case of SAIS. To compare and measure the effectiveness of Ultrasound therapy with exercises versus Laser therapy with exercises in evaluating the active range of motion using Universal Goniometer. BACKGROUND: Sub acromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is a painful condition resulting from the entrapment of anatomical structures between the antero inferior corner of the acromion and the greater tuberosity of the humerus. Van der Windt et al.,(1995) and Vecchio et al.,(1995) have postulated that Sub acromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) of the shoulder is the most common disorder of the shoulder, accounting for 44-65% of all complaints of shoulder pain. Shoulder Impingement syndrome is usually treated conservatively, but sometimes it is treated with arthroscopic surgery or open surgery. Conservative treatment includes rest, cessation of painful activity, ultrasound therapy, laser therapy and physiotherapy focused at maintaining range of movement and avoids shoulder stiffness. NSAIDs and ice packs may be used for pain relief. Therapeutic injections of corticosteroid and local anaesthetic may be used for persistent impingement syndrome. In this study the researcher would like to compare and see the effectiveness of ultrasound with exercises and laser therapy with exercises on SAIS. METHODS: For this study 60 patients with acute SAIS of both the sex were taken. Patients were randomly divided into group and group B. Group were treated with US therapy for 5 minutes along with shoulder exercises and Group were treated with LLLT of Ga-As for 5-6 minutes along with shoulder exercises to maintain ROM within available pain free range. Both the groups were treated 5 times per week for 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated with VAS and ROM on every 3rd day from Day 1st to 15th day. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain was measured by VAS and ROM of shoulder abduction was measured by Universal Goniometer. The values are compared to see which group has better improvement. The values are statistically analyzed to determine their effect in reducing pain and improving ROM. RESULTS: Both groups showed clinically and statistically significant improvement in VAS and ROM, with p value <0.001**, after 1st to 15th days of physiotherapy intervention. At the end of 15 days of treatment, both the groups were substantially improved over baseline measurement, but Group B showed significant improvement compared to Group A at 95% confidence interval. CONCLUSION: This experimental study shows that LLLT along with exercise is effective in the treatment of SAIS.