Diagnostic value of scintigraphy and conventional physiotherapy program in knee osteoarthritis

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of nonthermal pulsed short-wave diathermy therapy in inflammatory knee osteoarthritis with bone scintigraphy and clinical evaluation. Methods: 20 patients with inflammatory knee osteoarthritis had received 10 sessions of diadynamic current, 15 sessions of pulsed short-wave diathermy (65 Hz, 20 minutes/day), 15 sessions of ice therapy and exercise program. Three phase Tc-Methyl diphosphonate scintigrafic imaging were taken at both pre and post treatment period. Scintigraphic measure of blood flow, soft tissue and bone involvement were recorded. Pain intensity was evaluated with visual analog score, pain at rest, nocturnal pain, passive movement pain, pain with daily life activities, distance at pain start. Existence of joint warmth, knee circumference measurement, knee range of motion were recorded. Results: This study was carried out with 20 patients (2 male, 18 female). Mean age was 56.8 +/- 1.5 years. Statistically significant improvement was recorded in visual analog score (VAS), pain at rest, nocturnal pain, passive movement pain, pain with daily life activities, distance at pain start(p<0.05). There was no significant difference between pre and post treatment scintigraphic evaluations (p>0.05). Conclusions: There was improvement in pain with pulsed short-wave diathermy therapy in inflammatory knee osteoarthritis. There was no difference in pre and post scintigraphic values. Pulsed short-wave diathermy therapy is an effective treatment in inflammatory knee osteoarthritis.