The effect of different intensities of ultrasound on clinical and sonographic parameters in knee osteoarthritis

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different intensities of ultrasound in clinical and sonographic parameters in knee osteoarthritis. 90 patients between the ages of 45 and 70 years diagnosed with primary knee osteoarthritis were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups each group included 30 patients and were treated for 5 days a week for 3 weeks (15 sessions in total). All patients received treatment which consisted of 20 minutes hot pack, 20 minutes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and 5 minutes continuous ultrasound therapy (1st group: 1 MHz, 1W/cm2, 2nd group: 1 MHz, 1.5 W/cm2, 3rd group: 1 MHz, 2 W/cm2). All patients received isometric exercise program. Patients were evaluated , by using visual analog scale (VAS), WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index), Lequesne algo-functional knee index and by measuring femoral cartilage thickness using ultrasound , before applying any treatment and at the first month post treatment and after the treatment program has completed. No significant difference was found between the groups included in the study in terms of demographic data. VAS pain scale (p=0,001), WOMAC pain, stiffness and physical functionality (p=0.001) and Lequesne index scores (p=0,001) were significantly decreased in all three groups after the treatment and at 1 month after treatment and femoral cartilage thickness measurements were significantly increased (p=0.001). There was no significant difference between groups. Group * interaction evaluations revealed a significant increase in femoral cartilage thickness measurements compared to other groups in the ultrasound treatment group with 2 W/cm2 intensity. As a result; different intensities of continuous ultrasound treatment in knee osteoarthritis were observed to improve healing and cartilage regeneration on clinical and functional parameters. We believe that these results will guide the management and treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Key words: Knee, Osteoarthritis, Ultrasound, Femoral Cartilage Thickness