Abstract

Background. Comparative evaluation of analgesic efficacy of interferential current and ultrasound for the relief of pain radiation to the lower limbs in patients with a chronic spinal pain syndrome in the course of osteoarthritis. Material and methods. The study involved 100 individuals divided into two equal groups. Group A (n=50) patients received 10 ultrasound therapy sessions (0.8 W/cm2, 10 minutes). Group B (n=50) patients received 10 interferential current (IC) treatment sessions (10 minutes, 90-100 Hz). All volunteers completed questionnaires containing 42 questions. A subjective pain evaluation was performed using Visual-Analogue Scale of pain (VAS). The Oswestry Disability Scale was used to evaluate lumbosacral spine dysfunction.Results. The incidence of pain radiating to the buttocks decreased in both groups. In the ultrasound group, there was an insignificant reduction of pain radiation to the posterior part of the thighs, while after interferential current therapy pain radiation decreased by 50%. Pain radiation below the knees was reduced significantly in the group treated with interferential current. Conclusions. Interferential current therapy more effective than ultrasound for the reduction of pain radiation to the lower extremities in patients with chronic low back pain in the course of spondyloarthrosis.

Key words:

interferential current, ultrasound, spinal pain