Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Acromion Pseudarthrosis

Abstract

Fracture of acromion is uncommon because of its unique anatomical structure and location. Usually it heals by itself using conservative therapy intervention, and a subject’s shoulder can get back to its functional performance without surgical approach. However, rare cases may not recover due to pseudarthrosis taking place, surgical avoidance plus using noninvasive tools to manage acromion pseudarthrosis with the application of extracorporeal shockwave therapy at medium to high intensity is the author's motivation to report this condition. Likewise, to our knowledge, there is no published literature using extracorporeal shockwave therapy specific to acromion. A case of 36 old male, active, and alert had been referred to the physical therapy outpatient clinic for high density extracorporeal shockwave therapy to manage the acromion pseudarthrosis after going on range of motion and strengthening rehabilitation program for seven months. After having six sessions of extracorporeal shockwave therapy, the acromion nonunion fracture unified, with complete patient recovery. The pain was stopped. The range of motion became full, with the restoration of the shoulder's functional abilities.