Assessment of the effectiveness of local cryotherapy in treatment of gonarthrosis

Joanna Fidut-Wrońska, Robert Latosiewicz, Karolina Janikowska, Krzysztof Sokołowski

Joanna Fidut-Wrońska, Robert Latosiewicz, Karolina Janikowska, Krzysztof Sokołowski – Assessment of the effectiveness of local cryotherapy in treatment of gonarthrosis. Fizjoterapia Polska 2012; 12(3); 241-250

Abstract
The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of cryotherapy combined with other physical therapy methods. The study group consisted of 50 patients with gonarthrosis, treated by means of local cryotherapy and other physical therapy methods. The control group included 38 matched patients with gonarthrosis, treated with the same physical therapy methods, but without cryotherapy. Evaluation methods were based on the authors` tailored questionnaire, VAS scale and WOMAC questionnaire. The physical examination consisted of the measurements of body height and weight, the range of motion (ROM) in the knee joints and knee circumference and a series of functional tests. The results indicate that ROM of the knee joints increased by 11.3° in the study group and by 3.1° in the control group. The circumference was reduced by 1.1 cm in study group and by 0.4 cm in control group. The value of WOMAC index was diminished by 17.3% in the study group and by 11.9% in control group. After the treatment, the study group covered 8.7 stairs more during ascending and 9.2 more during descending whereas the control group covered 3.9 and 4.3 stairs respectively. Similarly, after the treatment patients from the study group did 5.5 squats more compared to 1.7 squats performed by the control group subjects. Cryotherapy combined with other physical therapy methods in treatment of gonarthrosis has better effects than application of physical therapy methods only, without cryotherapy.
Key words:
arthrosis, physical therapy, gonarthrosis, Cryotherapy
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