Effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on improving burn scar in patients with burnt extremities in Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Background: Pathologic scarring is a common problem after burn injury that has functional and esthetic limitations. Conservative and surgical treatments available for these scars are not always satisfactory. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a noninvasive
modality that has proven positive e?ects on burn scars and wound healing in few studies. Tis study was conducted to evaluate the e?ects of ESWT on improving burn scar in extremities. Materials and Methods: Tis study was a prospective quasi?experimental on burn patients with burn scar in their extremities that underwent ESWT sessions once a week for 6 weeks. For evaluating pain and itching, visual analog scale (VAS) and for scar appearance, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) were used. Tese scales were measured and compared at the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment, and 1 and 3 months after the end of the intervention.
Results: In this study, 17 patients were treated with ESWT with a mean age of 37.94 ± 7.25 years that 47.1% of them were male. Te mean of VAS score for pain and itching and VSS score were decreased signifcantly after the treatment and during follow?ups (All P < 0.001). Conclusion: ESWT can improve the pain, itching, and appearance of the burn scar in human extremities in burn patients.
modality that has proven positive e?ects on burn scars and wound healing in few studies. Tis study was conducted to evaluate the e?ects of ESWT on improving burn scar in extremities. Materials and Methods: Tis study was a prospective quasi?experimental on burn patients with burn scar in their extremities that underwent ESWT sessions once a week for 6 weeks. For evaluating pain and itching, visual analog scale (VAS) and for scar appearance, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) were used. Tese scales were measured and compared at the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment, and 1 and 3 months after the end of the intervention.
Results: In this study, 17 patients were treated with ESWT with a mean age of 37.94 ± 7.25 years that 47.1% of them were male. Te mean of VAS score for pain and itching and VSS score were decreased signifcantly after the treatment and during follow?ups (All P < 0.001). Conclusion: ESWT can improve the pain, itching, and appearance of the burn scar in human extremities in burn patients.
Keywords
Burn scar, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, extremity