Role of strengthening exercise with areion arthron series shockwave therapy in cervical radiculopathy.

Background: Cervical radiculopathy is a nerve root malfunction in the cervical spine that causes radicular symptoms such as pain, paresthesia, weakness, and numbness in the upper extremities. The annual incidence of cervical radiculopathy has been reported to be 107.3 per 100,000 for males and 63.5 per 100,000 for women. Cervical disc lesions and osteophyte invasion are the most prevalent causes of cervical radiculopathy, which results in nerve root or spinal nerve impingement or inflammation that causes adhesion around the nerve root and tissue which is a major cause of radiculopathy along with recurrent spasm in and around associated tissues. There is so many electrotherapy modalities for better outcome with physical treatment and Extra corporal shockwave therapy is one of finest tool with new upgradations which claims high success rate and complement the healing process. Aerion Arthron shockwave therapy system is FDA Approved equipment made for better outcome in pain management with physical condition like radiculopathy and spasm. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Areion Arthron shockwave therapy along with strengthening exercise in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methodology: A total of 15 patients of cervical radiculopathy were included in the study. All patients were treated with strengthening exercise and Shock wave therapy (S.W.T). Patients were treated 5 time per week with twice sessions of Areion Arthron shockwave therapy along with strengthening exercise for period of 6 weeks. Treatment duration was 20 to 40 minutes per session. Result: This study showed significant improvement in patients after treatment. This study showed pretest ROM Neck Flexion Mean ± SD was 39.0 ± 3.5 and improve to 47.2 ± 2.1 in post-test. Neck ROM Extension pre-test Mean ± SD was 69.1 ± 8.1 improve to 78.0 ± 2.0 in post-test. ROM Rotation Right Side Pre-test Mean ± SD was 73.8 ± 2.7 and improve to 78.9 ± 0.9 in post-test. Rotation to left side pretest Mean ± SD was 73.8 ± 2.7 and improve to 78.9 ± 0.9 in post-test. Data Analysis of VAS Scale also signified after treatment. Pre-test Mean ± SD was 7.2 ± 1.3 and reduced to 2.6 ± 1.0 in post-test. Conclusion: Studies have shown that Areion Arthron Shockwave Therapy, strengthening exercise improve the functional range of neck in the patient of cervical radiculopathy and also score of VAS scale is decrease in number in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]