Shock Therapy”, the paper presented by Alice Vicente , Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist at Hospital da Luz Lisboa, was considered the best scientific poster in the national congress of the specialty. The work, having as co-authors Francisco Tavares and João Pinto Coelho , analyses a clinical case followed in the PM&R department of this hospital and demonstrates the potential of shock waves and physical agents in the treatment of musculoskeletal pathologies. “In essence, we came across a post orthopedic surgery complication, a so-called pseud-arthrosis. Despite the patient in question being referred for surgical re-intervention, so as to improve pain and mobility, we decided to initiate treatment with focal shock waves, a widely applied technique in our service”, explains Alice Vicente. After seven sessions with this treatment, “it was evident not only a substantial symptomatic improvement, but also the resolution of the pseud-arthrosis, confirmed by imaging test (which led to the cancellation of the programmed surgery)”. Conclusions of the scientific poster “Shock Therapy” “The case described demonstrates the potential of the shock wave treatment in the musculoskeletal pathology, even though the spectrum of its indication is not yet fully unveiled.” “It is up to the physiatrist to continue exploring the applications of physical agents, even simple and little invasive, which show an increasing efficacy in the control of pain, the restoring of functioning and, as evidenced by the present case, in the cure of degenerative pathology, as is the case of pseud-arthrosis.” Held on September 30, in Porto, this was the 23 rd national congress of the Portuguese Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, celebrating its 70 years of existence. The gathering counted with the wide participation of national and international specialists in PM&R and in other medical and surgical specialties, scientific associations and patients.
