الفهرس 
Combined effect of pulsed electromagnetic field and pulsed ultrasound therapy in treating knee osteoarthritis
AbstractOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 101 |  |  |
| | | from | 101 | | |
Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most frequent illnesses in the world, affecting the knee joint in particular. It is the most common cause of physical limitations and a decline in quality of life. There is a debate in the literature about which is more effective in treating patients with knee OA between exercises, pulsed ultrasound therapy (PUST) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF). purpose: to investigate the cumulative effect of PEMF and PUST in treating knee OA in reducing pain, improving function and increasing knee range of motion (ROM). Materials and Methods: Eighty patients from both genders recruited from the outpatient clinic of physical therapy in Horus University, New Damietta, Egypt who were diagnosed of moderate unilateral knee OA by orthopedist; age 45–55 years old. All patients’ evaluation included visual analog scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment, western Ontario and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) used to assess health status and health outcomes for knee OA, timed up and go test (TUG) and the 10 meter walk test were used to assess patients’ functional mobility, electronic goniometer to assess knee joint ROM. They were randomized into four groups. Group1 received PUST plus exercises program, group (2) had PEMF plus exercises program, group (3) had PEMF, PUST plus exercises program while group (4) had sham PEMF, sham PUST plus exercises program. Results: For ROM, VAS, WOMAC,10 m walk test and TUG test: Pairwise comparison test revealed there was a highly significant decrease in knee pain and improvement in ROM and functional performance in patients with moderate knee OA in favor to group (3) rather than other groups. However, there was a highly significant difference between group 4 & group 2 in favor to group 2. Also, there was significant improvement in group 1 more than group 4. There was a less improvement in group 4. Conclusion: in the current study it could be concluded that PEMF, PUST and exercise therapy all together were effective modalities when combined for treating knee OA. Also, PEMF was more effective than PUST and exercise separately, and so PUST with exercise was more effective than an exercise program alone.