Application of high frequency currents in treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis

Agnieszka Przedborska, Ewa Pomorska, Marcin Świątczak, Małgorzata Staniszewska, Małgorzata Misztal, Jan W. Raczkowski

A. Przedborska, E. Pomorska, M. Świątczak, M. Staniszewska, M. Misztal, J. W. Raczkowski – Application of high frequency currents in treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Fizjoterapia Polska 2018; 18(4); 112-121

Abstract
Introduction. Endogenous heat is widely used in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis. The development of technology enables new methods of applying high frequency currents.
The purpose of the work is to assess the effectiveness of high frequency currents applied by various methods in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Material and methods. The study was conducted on a group of 111 patients with knee osteoarthritis, of which two groups were distinguished. The studied group consisted of 61 patients subjected to high-frequency therapy using the Thermo TK device. The control group consisted of 50 patients who underwent shortwave diathermy treatment. Assessment of the effectiveness of therapy was carried out on the basis of the VAS scale, Laitinen scale, perimeter and range of motion in the knee joint.
Results. Both groups displayed a statistically significant (p <0.0001) reduction in pain after the therapy according to the Laitinen scale (median (interquartile range IQR), respectively before and after the treatment: in the study group: 7 (6-8) scores vs. 3 (2-6) scores and in the control group: 8 (6-10) scores vs. 3.5 (2-7) scores). In addition, a statistically significant (p = 0.0031) reduction in the frequency of analgesics was observed in the study group. After treatment, in each of the groups, statistically significant (p <0.0001) alleviation of pain symptoms according to the VAS scale was also observed while walking on a flat surface and stairs. Circumference through the knee joint was also decreased (p <0.0001), while the extent of the bending movement significantly increased (p <0.0001). The duration of the analgesic effect in both groups was similar.
Conclusions. 1. Regardless of the type of application, high frequency currents reduce pain and improve the range of knee joint motion in patients with osteoarthritis. 2. The analgesic effect of the therapy in both groups was not permanent.

Key words:
knee joints, degenerative disease, high frequency currents

 

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