THE POSSIBILITY OF USING EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEDICAL REHABILITATION OF THE PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH VIBRATION DISEASE
The objective of the present study was to estimate the clinical efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) included in the combined treatment of the patients presenting with vibration disease (VD). A total of 92 patients with VD of different severity were available for the examination in 58 of whom traditional therapy was supplemented by a course of ESWT using a Piezo Wave apparatus (Richard Wolf). The efficacy of therapy was estimated based on its influence on the manifestation and dynamics of regression of pain syndrome. The comparative analysis has demonstrated that the inclusion of ESWT in the program of combined treatment of VD significantly improved its efficacy due to the early and stable alleviation of pain in distal arm segments. Two variants of chronic pain syndrome response to the action of shock waves were identified. It is concluded that the great analgesic potential, good tolerability, and persistence of positive outcomes taken together permit to recommend the inclusion of ESWT in the system of rehabilitative treatment of the patients presenting with vibration disease.