Therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions

Judith Falconer*, Karen W. Hayes, Rowland W. Chang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents a quantitative synthesis of the literature addressing the effectiveness of ultrasound in selected musculoskeletal conditions. Pain and range of motion appear to improve following ultrasound treatment in acute periarticular inflammatory conditions and osteoarthritis, but not in chronic periarticular inflammatory conditions. Placebo response and experimenter expectancy bias can not be ruled out as explanations for the positive results. The literature concerning the therapeutic efficacy of ultrasound for pain and immobility in musculoskeletal conditions is therefore inconclusive. Well‐designed clinical trials are needed to resolve this question.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)85-91
Number of pages7
JournalArthritis & Rheumatism
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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