Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy as an additional treatment modality for spastic equinus deformity in chronic hemiplegic patients. A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (r ESWT) as an additional treatment modality for spastic equinus deformity in chronic hemiplegic patients. Methods 100 eligible stroke patients with calf muscles spasticity were randomized into 2 groups. Group I: 50 patients exposed to rESWT 1.500 pulses, 0.10 mJ to 0.3mJ/mm2, with a frequency 4 Hz once weekly for one month. Group II: 50 patients exposed to Sham rESWT once weekly for one month. Clinical, electrophysiological & musculoskeletal ultrasound assessments were done for all patients. Results After controlling baseline as covariate, the trend for modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Passive ankle dorsiflexion motion (PADFM), 10 meters walk test (10-MWT), and Ratio of maximum H reflex to maximum M response (H/M ratio) after one & two months was significantly different between the two groups, with improvement of all clinical and electrophysiological parameters in group I. Conclusion ESWT represents a useful non-invasive, additional modality for the reduction of foot spasticity and equinus deformity in stroke patients.