Comparison of the efficacy of high intensity laser and pulsed elektromagnetic field therapy on clinical and sonographic parameters in knee osteoarthritis

This study was conducted to determine and compare the effectiveness of high-intensity laser (HILT) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMA) therapy on clinical and sonographic parameters in knee osteoarthritis. Our study included 88 patients aged 40-75 years who were diagnosed with bilateral primary knee osteoarthritis, who were admitted to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation polyclinics of Gaziantep University Medical Faculty Hospital. In the first group a total of 10 sessions of HILT was applied to 30 patients, 5 days a week for 2 weeks, and a total of 10 sessions of PEMA therapy was applied to the second group 30 patients, 5 days a week for 2 weeks. 28 patients were considered as the control group. All 3 groups were given a 20 minutes of hotpack and a home exercise program that included range of motion knee exercises, stretching and strengthening exercises. Patients were evaluated by VAS (Visual Analog Scala), WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthitis Index), Lequesne algofunctional knee index and measuring the knee femoral cartilage thickness (medial, lateral and intercondylar) by ultrasonography, before treatment, after treatment and in the 1st month after treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic data. In all groups, statistically significant decreases were found in VAS score, WOMAC pain and WOMAC total scores post-treatment and at 1 month post treatment compared to pre-treatment, and statistically significant increases in cartilage thickness values in both knees. There was no statistically significant decrease in WOMAC stiffness scores in any group. Considering the group time interaction values, a statistically significant improvement was found in the WOMAC physical function score, Lequesne algofunctional knee index score and left knee medial femoral condyle cartilage thickness values in the HILT and PEMA group compared to the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the HILT and PEMA groups. In conclusion, it is determined that HILT and PEMA therapy reduced pain, improved physical function and increased cartilage regeneration in knee osteoarthritis, but non is superior to the other. The results of our study may be a guide in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,but we think that further comprehensive studies are required regarding this subject. Keywords: Knee Osteoarthritis, Laser, Magnetic Field, Femoral Cartilage Thickness