arthritis
The theory behind ultrasound for treating knee osteoartritis is that it is used as a passive modality; a supplement to the primary treatment (e.g. exercise). Passive modalities are typically used to relax the patient as a distraction from pain, and/or to warm muscles for exercise. Ultrasound equipment generates high frequency sound waves that are transferred to a specific body area via a round sound head. The sound waves travel deep into tissue (e.g. muscles) creating gentle heat. The clinician usually applies a hypo-allergic gel to the skin, which creates a friction free surface. Using gentle, circular motions with the sound head, the treatment is administered and generally lasts seven to ten minutes. Ultrasound can also be used in phonophoresis. This treatment involves the application of a topical anti-inflammatory that is usually mixed with the ultrasound gel and applied to the area using the probe. The ultrasonic sound waves force the medication to migrate into the tissues reducing inflammation. As the sound head glides over the skin's surface, sound waves penetrate the skin's surface causing soft tissues to vibrate creating deep heat. In turn, the heat induces vasodilation, which is the drawing of blood into the targe
At the termination of treatment, all patients had significant improvement in both functional capacity and peak torque. A young person who develops osteoarthritis may have an inherited form of the disease or may have experienced continuous irritation from an unrepaired torn meniscus or other injury. These trials showed no statistical difference between galvanic current or short wave diathermy for the outcomes of pain and patient-assessed improvement. In rheumatoid arthritis, which 2can also affect the knee, the joint becomes inflamed and the cartilage is destroyed. The results showed an improvement in active ROM, pain, and gait velocity, and maintained improvement for at least 2 months. Arthritis is particularly devastating because it not only affects joints, but it may also affect supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The deep heat helps to relieve pain, inflammation, reduces muscle spasms, accelerates healing, and in some cases, depending on the treatment area, range of motion may be increased. Blood tests may be helpful for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis along with an analysis of fluid from the knee joint; further, arthroscopy may be used to directly visualize damage to cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. This trial showed no difference in range of motion, pain or gait velocity after 4 weeks of therapeutic ultrasound. In conclusion it can be determined that therapeutic ultrasound alone cannot be the sole contributor to the relief of osteoarthritis. Sometimes the knee joint locks or clicks when the knee moves from a flexed position into an extended position and vice versa.
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