THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital46 enrolled

Overview

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes pain, stiffness, and reduced physical function. Therapeutic ultrasound is frequently used in physical medicine and rehabilitation to reduce pain and improve joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis; however, different ultrasound application techniques are used in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different therapeutic ultrasound techniques in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Participants with knee osteoarthritis received therapeutic ultrasound treatment using one of two application techniques according to a predefined treatment protocol. Clinical outcomes related to pain and functional status were evaluated before and after treatment. This completed study provides information on whether different ultrasound application techniques lead to differences in clinical outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis and may help guide clinical decision-making in rehabilitation practice.

This study was designed as a prospective, parallel-group interventional study to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of different therapeutic ultrasound application techniques in patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. Eligible participants with knee osteoarthritis were allocated into treatment groups according to the predefined study protocol. Therapeutic ultrasound was applied using two different techniques under standardized treatment parameters. All participants received treatment sessions over a defined treatment period. Clinical outcome measures related to pain intensity and functional status were assessed at baseline and after completion of the treatment protocol. Outcome assessments were performed by an evaluator blinded to group allocation. The primary objective of the study was to compare the effects of different therapeutic ultrasound techniques on pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Secondary objectives included evaluating changes in physical function following treatment.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

Interventions

hot packDEVICE

superficial heat therapy applied to the knee joınt using hot packs before other pyhsical terapy modalites .Hot packs are applied for approximately 15-20 minutes per session

transcutaneus electrical nerve stimulatıonDEVICE

TENS is a non-invasive electrical stimulation technique applied through surface electrodes to modulate sensory nerve activity without producing muscle contraction.

exersice terapyBEHAVIORAL

Exercise therapy is a structured, planned, and repetitive physical intervention designed to improve or maintain physical function, mobility, strength, balance, and overall health through targeted therapeutic exercises.

continius ultrasoundDEVICE

Continuous ultrasound is a therapeutic modality in which high-frequency sound waves are delivered continuously to biological tissues to produce predominantly thermal effects, leading to increased tissue temperature, enhanced blood flow, improved tissue extensibility, and pain modulation.

pulsed ultrasoundDEVICE

Pulsed ultrasound is a therapeutic ultrasound modality in which acoustic energy is delivered intermittently rather than continuously, resulting in predominantly non-thermal mechanical effects such as cavitation and acoustic microstreaming that promote tissue healing and reduce inflammation.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 40 YearsMax age: 75 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Age between 40 and 75 years,Clınıcal and radıografıc dıagnosısı of knee osteoartrıtsı accordıng to Amerıcan College of Rheumatology crıteria,Kellegren Lawrencw grade 2-3 osteoartritis,prencense of knee pain for at least 3 months,ability to ambulate independently, ability to understand and comply with study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * History of knee surgery or ıntraartıkuler ınjection within the 6 last month,severe knee osteoaertırtıcs (kellegren lawrence grade 4),Neurological disorders affecting lower exremity functıon ,pulmoner or systemic disease limitin participitian,pregnancy,current partpiciant ın another clinical trial

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

pain intensity assessed by visuel analog scale (VAS)

Pain intensity was assessed using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Participants marked their perceived knee pain level at each assessment point.

Time frame: baseline,immediately after treatment, and 2 months post-tratment

knee joint stiffness assessed by WOMAC stiffness subscale

Knee joint stiffness was evaluated using the stiffness subscale of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Higher scores indicate greater stiffness and symptom severity.

Time frame: baseline,immediately after treatment and at 2 months post treatment

lesquesne algofunctional ındex score

Functional impairment related to knee osteoarthritis was assessed using the Lequesne algofunctional index, which evaluates pain, walking distance, and activities of daily living. Higher scores reflect greater functional disability.

Time frame: baseline,immediately after treatment,and at 2 months post-treatment

Secondary Outcomes

Quadriceps muscle strength assesed by isokinetic dynamometry

Quadriceps muscle strength was measured using isokinetic dynamometry under standardized testing conditions. Peak torque values were recorded to assess muscle strength performance.

Time frame: baseline,immediately after treatment and 2 monthspost treatment