The Effect of Phonophoresis in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome.

Phonophoresis Therapy in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: Comparing of Pulsed Mode Ultrasound Phonophoresis and Continuous Mode Ultrasound Phonophoresis.

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is a dysfunction caused by an impingement of the rotator cuff tendon between the head of the humerus and the acromion as a result of changes in the subacromial space. The patients' symptoms, such as pain, limited joint mobility and reduced strength, may lead to a diagnosis of SIS. The conservative treatment of individuals with SIS is includes analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroid injections and physiotherapy. Ultrasound therapy is one of the common physiotherapy applications for SIS, but its effectiveness is controversial. Phonophoresis is a combination of ultrasound therapy and medical therapy. In phonophoresis, a medicine in gel form is used as a transmitter with ultrasound instead of the aquatic conductor gel. It was hypothesized that ultrasound waves favoring the penetration of an anti-inflammatory drug would lead to an improved response to the treatment of SIS. However, the effectiveness of ultrasound modes (pulsed or continuous) can be used in phonophoresis is debatable. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of ultrasound therapy, pulsed mode ultrasound and continuous mode ultrasound phonophoresis in patients with SIS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• to be diagnosed as shoulder impingement syndrome,
• shoulder pain for at least one month,
• VAS score over 40mm.

Exclusion Criteria:

• grade III supraspinatus tendon injury,
• major shoulder trauma,
• diabetes mellitus,
• hipotiroidizm,
• adhesive capsulitis,
• cardiac pacemaker
• physical therapy or local injection to the shoulder at last six month
• serious cervical pathologies.