Effectiveness of ultrasound therapy and short wave diathermy over therpeutic exercise and NSAIDs in the treatment of frozen shoulder in a tertiary level hospital - A comparative study

Auhtor: MZH Bhuiyan, BN Battacharjee, MS Alam, MA Rahim, SR Chowdhury, MA Hoque

Abstract:

Background: Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a painful and disabling condition that often causes great frustration for patients as well as care givers due to slow recovery. In this condition, movement of the shoulder is severly restricted and pain is usually constant, worse at night. It may cause sudden onset of tremendous pain and cramping on certain movements, usually abduction & external ratation. Traditionally, frozen shoulder was treated with NSAIDs, therapeutic exercise and physical therapy such as ultrasound therapy and short wave diathermy. We compared efficacy, safety and tolerability of physical therapy with that of NSAIDs and therapeutic exercise. Methods: A prospective, observational, comparative study was done in Physical Medicine Department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), Rajshahi from January 2007 to December 2007. Among 292 of painful shoulder patients, 60 frozen shoulder patients were selected. For therapeutic trial, patients were divided into three groups: group-I (short wave diathermy with NSAID & therapeutic exercise), group-II (ultrasound therapy with NSAID & therapeutic excrcise) and group-III placebo group (NSAID & therapeutic exercise). Treatment continued for 8 weeks period in all three groups.

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