Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Post-Laminectomy Lumbar Epidural Fibrosis

To investigate the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) on pain, lumbar range of motion (ROM) and F-wave minimal latency and F-chronodispersion in patients with post laminectomy epidural fibrosis.

Sixty patients complaining of low back pain and sciatica secondary to lumbar post laminectomy epidural fibrosis were allocated to one of the two equal groups (study and control groups). Pain intensity, lumbar ROM, and F-wave latency and F-chronodispersion were assessed pre- and posttreatment using visual analogue scale (VAS), Back ROM II device, and Neuro-MEP-Micro electromyography device, respectively.

Posttreatment mean values showed statistically significant decrease in VAS mean scores in both groups, with more significant decrease posttreatment in favor of the study group. There was statistically significant increase in all lumbar ROM mean scores and statistically significant decrease in F-minimal latency and F-chronodispersion for both peroneal and tibial nerves in the study group only posttreatment. Also, the results showed that significant positive moderate correlation between VAS scores and F-chronodispersion for peroneal nerve, strong negative correlation between right side bending scores and F-wave minimal latency for peroneal nerve and moderate negative correlation between left side bending scores and F-wave minimal latency for peroneal nerve after treatment.

It was concluded that rESWT is a new and convenient modality, that would be beneficial if added to the conventional physical therapy protocols in managing patients with lumbar post-laminectomy epidural fibrosis.