Effectiveness of Shortwave Diathermy in Persons with Osteoarthritis of Knee Joint - an Experimental Study

Background and Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful condition affecting 85% of population with radiologically evident changes in subjects above 65 years of age, causing disability and muscle weakness. Shortwave diathermy (SWD) is a deep heating modality which has been extensively used to alleviate pain in persons with OA knees. However the problem of non-adherence to this modality remains a challenge and a persistent problem because of long treatment period, as a result of which, substantial numbers of patients do not get the maximum benefit, leading to poor health outcomes. Therefore the purpose of this study was to find out if shorter periods of shortwave diathermy in persons with knee osteoarthritis improve outcomes and compliance to therapy. Design: Quasi experimental pre-test post- test study. Methodology: A total of 15 subjects with OA knee, mean age of 57.4 ± 5 years consented to participate in this study after a written consent. The baseline assessment was performed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) for assessing pain, activity and mobility status respectively. After 5 days of SWD and Quadriceps strengthening exercises, a final assessment was done to document the change in VAS, WOMAC and EMS. This data was analyzed to find out if outcomes improved with short period of SWD. The number of drop outs was also analyzed to report the patient compliance to therapy. Results: The results from this study shows significant reduction in pain using VAS (p value =0.003), improvement in WOMAC scores (p value =0.002) and EMS (p value =0.033), following 5 days of SWD. The dropout rate due to noncompliance was 6.5%. Conclusion: There was significant reduction in pain, and improvement in activity level and mobility status following short period of SWD in subjects with OA knees with a low drop out percentage.