ULTRASOUND, INTERFERENCE CURRENT, AND EXERCISE FOR RECURRENT KNEE PAIN DUE TO OSTEOARTHRITIS

Introduction:- To study the effectiveness of ultrasound, interference current, and exercise in recurrent knee pain due to osteoarthritis and to find the optimal frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise. Materials and methods:- Twelve outpatients (age 67.16 ± 7.89 years) with recurrent knee pain due to osteoarthritis were followed for one month. They were treated with interference current, ultrasound, and exercise for two weeks. All patients were instructed to perform the exercises as often as possible, for as long as possible, and as intensively as possible at home for one month. The pain was reported on a visual analog scale daily for two weeks and after one month. In the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the month were recorded knee mobility, the periarticular muscle strength, frequency, intensity, and duration of the exercises. Results:- During the two-week course the pain was decreasing every following day (P>0.05). Over the weekend the pain increased (P<0.05). After two weeks and after one month improved the pain (P<0.05), knee mobility (P>0.05), and muscle strength (P>0.05). There was a significant correlation and regression between pain and exercise frequency (P<0.05). If the exercise frequency is greater than five times a day, the pain regressively tends to zero (P>0.05). There was no correlation between pain and exercise intensity (P>0.05) and between pain and exercise duration (P>0.05). Discussion:- The pain decrease during the week and its increase during the weekend show that interference current, ultrasound, and exercise have a short-term analgesic effect. Improving all parameters after two weeks and after one month shows that exercise has a long-term effect. Frequent, short, and low-intensity exercise is recommended due to the correlation with regression between pain and exercise frequency, in the absence of a correlation between pain and intensity or duration of exercise. The recommended frequency of exercise is five times a day, as at this frequency the pain tends to disappear. Conclusion:- The combination of ultrasound, interference current, and exercise is effective in recurrent knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Short and low-intensity exercises with a frequency of more than five times a day are optimal.