Deep Versus Superficial Heating in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Deep Versus Superficial Heating in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: a Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Heat therapy is frequently prescribed to patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Deep hyperthermia via localized microwave diathermy is effective in several musculoskeletal painful conditions. However, the efficacy of superficial heating is controversial. Furthermore, no clinical trials have yet directly compared the effects of these treatment modalities in knee OA. Hence, the purpose of the present study is to compare the effects of deep and superficial hyperthermia, induced via microwave diathermy and hot packs, respectively, on pain and function in patients with symptomatic knee OA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women aged 18 years or older
• Moderate, mono or bilateral knee osteoarthritis
• Pain lasting for at least three weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability or unwillingness to sign informed consent
• Previous surgery on the affected knee
• Intra-articular injections with steroids or hyaluronic acid in prior 6 months
• Physical therapy for knee problems in prior 6 months
• Congenital or acquired inflammatory or neurological (systemic or local) diseases involving the knee
• Chronic NSAID or steroid treatment
• Cognitive or psychiatric disorders
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Contraindications to hyperthermia (cancer in prior 2 years or active cancer treatment, local thrombosis, impaired arterial circulation, altered cutaneous thermal sensitivity, local infections or systemic acute infections, metal implants or prosthesis, severe osteoporosis