Extracorporeal Shockwave Terapy to Treat Chronic Muscle Injury

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. CONCLUSION 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.