Effectiveness of Percutaneous Electrolysis in Subacute and Early Chronic Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Injuries: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.
Effectiveness of Percutaneous Electrolysis in Subacute and Early Chronic Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Injuries: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.
OBJECTIVE: Determine the effectiveness of an intervention that consists of the application of percutaneous electrolysis in different doses compared to the application of a simulated intervention in adults who present a muscle tear in the internal gastrocnemius.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Around fifty adults with muscle tears in the medial gastrocnemius will be included in the following study. The first group will be treated with high-intensity percutaneous electrolysis (3 mA), the second group will be treated with low-intensity percutaneous electrolysis (0.3 mA), and the third group will receive a sham intervention. Myofascial pain, level of kinesiophobia, range of ankle dorsiflexion with full knee extension, and triceps surae muscle fatigue will be evaluated both before and after treatment.
APPLICABILITY OF THE EXPECTED RESULTS: The results of this study are intended to help provide information about the effects of electrolysis on muscle tears, thus improving their management. Likewise, this work can contribute to the knowledge of the use of percutaneous electrolysis since it applies two protocols with different intensity and application time. In this way, it will provide information on the treatment, management and prognosis of muscle injuries addressed through invasive physiotherapy and more specifically, percutaneous electrolysis.
Before the application of percutaneous electrolysis (or sham procedure), all participants underwent a standardized pre-treatment protocol including massage therapy, joint mobilization, and radiofrequency diathermy. This protocol was applied uniformly across all groups to ensure consistency and replicate routine clinical practice conditions.
Inclusion Criteria:
Muscle injury in the medial gastrocnemius
Pain in the area of injury
Informed of the purpose, risks and benefits of this study and written consent to participate in the trial.
Exclusion criteria: