BACKGROUND:
The degenerative arthritis commonly referred to as the ‘Osteoarthritis’ is the widespread clinical pathology of the knee. It is the major cause of pain and physical disability among the middle aged and elderly population with knee as the most commonly affected joint. Most of the pharmacotherapies used for the reduction of symptoms of osteoarthritis have pronounced side effects. The Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) has gained its clinical interest because of its anti-inflammatory property, stimulatory effects on cartilage and bone, non-invasiveness and without any side effects.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES:
To determine whether the low frequency Pulsed Electro Magnetic Therapy (PEMF) can reduce pain and improve the functioning of knee joint among the patients of knee osteoarthritis.
METHODS AND METHODOLOGY:
The study included fifty patients between the age group of 50-70 years with knee osteoarthritis for atleast one year duration. They were subjected to PEMF therapy, delivering 1500 nTesla (10 Hz frequency with sine wave configuration) for 60 minutes/day for 21 days with a break after every 6 days. Before and after the PEMF therapy, pain assessment by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), symptom assessment by Western Ontario Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), severity assessment by the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading system, assessment of functioning of the joint by surface Electromyography (sEMG) of vastus medialis and assessment of degree of inflammation by the levels of serum Prostaglandin E2 levels were performed.
RESULTS:
After the Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field Therapy, the results were analysed by Paired t test using SPSS version 21. There was a significant reduction (p<0.001) in Visual Analog Score, WOMAC score and significant improvement (p<0.001) in the power of vastus medialis as shown by the increase in amplitude of surface electromyography. A significant reduction (p<0.001) in the levels of serum Prostaglandin E2 were also observed.
CONCLUSION:
Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field (PEMF) therapy reduces the arthritic pain, improves the blood flow to the joint and the surrounding muscles and causes an improvement in physical function and the power of muscles acting at the knee joint. Hence PEMF can be used as a treatment modality for knee osteoarthritis. It also has the advantage of non-invasiveness, involves no medications and adverse effects
