Influence of Using Physical Therapy Resources for Knee Osteoarthritis

Influence of Using Physical Therapy Resources for Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, multifactorial characterization, which changes in bone alignment, cartilage and structures that provide joint stability appear to be strongly correlated with the origin of this disease.This project will aim to verify the effectiveness of interferential current, short wave and low level laser therapy on an exercise program for mobility and pain in knee osteoarthritis. Blind randomized, placebo controlled. Five groups: exercise group, exercise group + Ultrasound therapy, exercise group + interferential current, exercise group + short-wave diathermy, exercise group + Low level laser therapy. Before and after the trial protocol by the following instruments: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), numerical scale of pain assessment (END), Visual Analogue Scale Fatigue (VAS-F), issue F2.2 Instrument assessment of quality of life of the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-100) test sitting and standing + numerical rating pain scale, algometry. This project hypothesizes that the inclusion of photothermal and electrical agents in an exercise program will provide an improvement in pain, mobility and knee function in individuals diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• knee pain to at least six months and minimum of 4 points in pain scale
• Diagnosed with osteoarthritis in unilateral knee according to the criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology and confirmed by radiographic examination for identification Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 3 (Kellgren & Lawrence, 1957).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any type of physical therapy
• therapy with intra-articular corticosteroids or therapeutic chondroprotective drugs last year, before the start of the study.
• history of trauma on his knees, cognitive disorder or psychological disorder,
• neurological (sensory or motor)
• cancer
• diabetes,
• or any state of adverse acute health osteoarthritis signs of hip
• cardiopulmonary disease that prevents the conducting exercises
• require auxiliary device for performing gait.
• Yet who undertake physical activity in the last two months. Physical activity is defined as strength training and / or more than 20 minutes of aerobic activity twice a week.