Tolperisone in the combination treatment of muscular tonic syndrome in individuals with a high level of physical activity

Introduction. Dorsalgia is one of the most common diseases in individuals practising regular physical training and sports Rationale. Because of the growth of the number of physically active individuals expected to rise by 2024, the improvement of drug and physical rehabilitation methods comes into sharp focus.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the use of a centrally acting muscle tolperisone-containing relaxant in the combined treatment of dorsalgia accompanied by a muscular tonic syndrome.

Materials and methods. In the study, two groups of patients (30 people each) with muscular tonic syndrome received therapy that included NSAIDs and a neurotropic vitamin complex (in the comparison group), and additionally a centrally acting muscle relaxant (in the treatment group).

The treatment outcome was assessed by changes in complaints and the objective neurological status of patients, the degree of muscle soreness upon palpation, and the evaluation of pain syndrome using a visual analogue scale.

The shear wave elastography (SWE) of defunct muscles was used as an objective assessment method.

Earlier in clinical practice, muscle tension in patients was usually assessed using manual palpation, i.e., only qualitatively and subjectively. SWE is an operator-independent, relatively reproducible, and quantitative method for assessing tendons and muscles. SWE was used in this study to obtain more objective assessment and comparison of the elasticity of “affected” and “healthy” symmetrical back muscles before and after the use of drugs.

Results. The study showed a high clinical efficacy of tolperisone in the combination therapy of the lower back pain accompanied by muscular tonic syndrome, which was confirmed by a more significant decreased muscle-tonic syndrome based on the evaluation of complaints and the degree of muscle soreness upon palpation, a more pronounced regression of pain syndrome according to VAS in the treatment group of patients vs the comparison group. According to the elastography findings before and after treatment, the group receiving tolperisone showed a more significant decrease in muscular tonic syndrome.

Сonclusion. The study confirmed the clinical efficacy of tolperisone manufactured by Sotex pharmaceutical company. On these grounds we recommend that the drug is used in combination therapy for dorsalgias (dorsopathies) accompanied by a muscular tonic (myofascial) syndrome both in patients without a proper level of physical activity, and in those practising regular physical training and sports. 

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