A report of two cases

Yousef Marwan, MBBS
The Spine Journal
Available online 2 October 2013

Abstract
Background context
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) has been used widely for musculoskeletal conditions; however, no reports are available about its use for coccydynia.

Purpose
Study the effect of ECSWT in relieving pain of coccydynia.

Study design
Case report.

Methods
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was used for two male patients, Patients 1 and 2, who failed to respond completely to other conservative management of coccydynia. Numerical pain scale (NPS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to assess the pain. Consent to publish the data was obtained from both the patients.

Results
Before starting ECSWT, Patient 1 reported a pain intensity of 6/10 and 5.1/10 on NPS and VAS, respectively, whereas the intensity of pain in Patient 2 was 7/10 and 6.9/10 on NPS and VAS, respectively. Four weeks after ECSWT, Patient 1 reported complete relief of pain on NPS and VAS, whereas Patient 2 reported a pain intensity of 1/10 and 0.8/10 on NPS and VAS, respectively. The same intensity of pain was reported by both patients after 12 months of follow-up.

Conclusions
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy relieved pain of coccydynia in our patients.

Journal Abstract Online:  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1529943013013594