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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Transdermal nitroglycerine treatment of shoulder tendinopathies in patients with spinal cord injuries.

subject

description

A clinical blind study was conducted to determine the efficacy of transdermal nitroglycerine treatment on the awareness of shoulder pain. This study aims to determine the effects of transdermal nitroglycerine on shoulder pain and on functional shoulder movement in patients with spinal cord injuries and shoulder tendinopathies. A second aim is to establish the side effects of the treatment. Hospital “La Fe” in Valencia, Spain. A total of 45 spinal cord injury patients, all of whom are wheelchair users with shoulder tendinopathy, were randomly divided into two groups: placebo (n=12) and experimental (n=33). The experimental group (EG) received transdermal treatment for 6 months in the form of a 1.25 mg nitroglycerine (NT) patch on the greater tubercle. A placebo patch was used with the placebo subjects. Functional shoulder movements were assessed by articular range of motion and pain, using a visual analogical scale. NT treatment reduced the awareness of shoulder pain and increased the functional movement and range of articular motion in the shoulders of the EG members (P<0.05). We conclude that transdermal NT is an efficient method for treating shoulder tendinopathies in wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries.