Effects of Short Wave Diathermy Added on Dextrose Prolotherapy Injections in Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Effects of Short Wave Diathermy Added on Dextrose Prolotherapy Injections in Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Goal: To show the effects of short wave diathermy added on prolotherapy injections in osteoarthritis of the knee on pain, physical functioning and quality of life.

Material and Methods: 63 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee with Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) class 2 or 3 were included in the study. Patients were randomized to two grous, first being dextrose prolotherapy+ short wave diathermy(SWD), and second being dextrose prolotherapy with sham SWD. Patients were injected with dextrose prolotherapy solutions in the beginning, 3rd and 6th week of the study, for a total of 3 times, and took 20 minutes of SWD after injection(true or sham). Western Ontorio and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogous Scale for pain(VAS) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)were applied before, after(6th week) and at the 3rd month of treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion criteria were being between 45 and 75 years old, knee pain of 3 months or longer duration, and having OA of the knee compatible with Kellgren-Lawrance class 2 or 3

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients using analgesics other than acetaminophen, having pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, infectious or inflammatory arthritis, hemophilia, knee prosthesis, history of knee injections in last 3 months or anticoagulant use, allergy to ingredients of the solutions, having cardiac pacemaker or other device, or metallic implants were exluded from the study.