Shock Wave Versus Traditional Physical Therapy for Adult Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis

Shock Wave Versus Traditional Physical Therapy for Adult Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) versus structured therapeutic exercise in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA), with respect to pain reduction and improvement of knee function.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a highly prevalent chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive cartilage loss, chronic pain, stiffness, functional disability, and reduced quality of life in adults, particularly the elderly.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a non-invasive physical modality that delivers acoustic pressure waves to musculoskeletal tissues, stimulating biological responses such as enhanced microcirculation, anti-inflammatory cytokine modulation, neovascularization, cartilage and bone repair processes, and decreased pain transmission.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults ≥ 40 years with clinical and radiographic diagnosis of chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III).
• Both sexes.
• Persistent knee pain ≥ 3 months.
• Ability to provide consent and participate in interventions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior knee surgery within last 6 months.
• Intra-articular injections in the last 3 months.
• Systemic inflammatory arthritis or other neurological conditions affecting gait.