Effectiveness of continuous versus pulsed short-wave diathermy in the management of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized pilot study

The efficacy of high-intensity laser and short-wave diathermy both combined with exercises in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized comparative study

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity laser therapy and short-wave diathermy, both with exercise, on pain, physical function, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis and compare the efficacy of these modalities. This head-to-head randomized study included sixty patients diagnosed with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and radiologically evaluated as Kellgren-Lawrence stages 2 and 3 bilateral OA patients were divided into two groups according to the therapy: high-intensity laser (HILT) with exercise (n = 30) and short-wave diathermy (SWD) with exercise (n = 30) in which patients treated for 2 weeks (5 days a week for a total of 10 sessions). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Timed Up and Go, Stair Climb, 30-s chair-stand, 40-meter Fast-paced Walk, and Short Form Survey (SF-36) tests were performed before and after treatments. Compared to pretreatment, HILT + exercise therapy improved all the test results, while SWD + exercise therapy also improved test scores except for the 30-s chair-stand and 40-meter Fast-paced Walk tests. When HILT + exercise therapy was compared with SWD + exercise therapy, HILT treatment was more effective in all tests except the Stair Climb and 40-meter Fast-paced Walk tests. Although the treatments applied with exercise were effective in both groups, HILT was more effective than SWD in terms of pain, physical, functional, and quality of life. HILT was recommended in the treatment plan of patients with stage 2-3 knee osteoarthritis.

Knee Pain from Osteoarthritis: Pathogenesis, Risk Factors, and Recent Evidence on Physical Therapy Interventions

For patients presenting knee pain coming from osteoarthritis (OA), non-pharmacological conservative treatments (e.g., physical therapy interventions) are among the first methods in orthopedics and rehabilitation to prevent OA progression and avoid knee surgery. However, the best strategy for each patient is difficult to establish, because knee OA's exact causes of progression are not entirely understood. This narrative review presents (i) the most recent update on the pathogenesis of knee OA with the risk factors for developing OA and (ii) the most recent evidence for reducing knee pain with physical therapy intervention such as Diathermy, Exercise therapy, Ultrasounds, Knee Brace, and Electrical stimulation. In addition, we calculated the relative risk reduction in pain perception for each intervention. Our results show that only Brace interventions always reached the minimum for clinical efficiency, making the intervention significant and valuable for the patients regarding their Quality of Life. In addition, more than half of the Exercise and Diathermy interventions reached the minimum for clinical efficiency regarding pain level. This literature review helps clinicians to make evidence-based decisions for reducing knee pain and treating people living with knee OA to prevent knee replacement.

Acute Effects of Tecar Therapy on Skin Temperature, Ankle Mobility and Hyperalgesia in Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Professional Basketball Players: A Pilot Study

(1) Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a clinical condition characterized by localized non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain caused by myofascial trigger points. Diathermy or Tecar therapy (TT) is a form of noninvasive electro-thermal therapy classified as deep thermotherapy based on the application of electric currents. This technique is characterized by immediate effects, and its being used by high performance athletes. (2) Methods: A total of thirty-two participants were included in the study who were professional basketball players. There was a 15-person Control Group and a 17-person Intervention Group. TT was applied in the Intervention Group, while TT with the device switched off (SHAM) was applied in the Control Group. The effects were evaluated through the Lunge test, infrared thermography, and pressure threshold algometry at baseline, 15, and 30 min after the intervention. (3) Results: the Intervention Group exhibited a greater increase in absolute temperature (F_[1,62] = 4.60, p = 0.040, η²_p = 0.13) compared to the Control Group. There were no differences between the groups in the Lunge Test (F_[1.68,53.64] = 2.91, p = 0.072, η²_p = 0.08) or in pressure algometry (visual analog scale, VAS) (F_[3.90] = 0.73, p = 0.539, η²_p = 0.02). No significant short-term significant differences were found in the rest of the variables. (4) Conclusions: Diathermy can induce changes in the absolute temperature of the medial gastrocnemius muscle.