Background: The objective of the study was to assess the efficiency of visualization training based on motivating instructions of a general character in order to increase the knee joint mobility, reduce pain and increase the quadriceps muscle mass of the thigh in patients after the knee joint arthroscopy. Material/Methods: F10 outpatient clinic patients after arthroscopy of the knee joint (average age 35 yrs) were subject to research. Physiotherapeutic treatment comprised an improvement program to increase the range of flexion in the knee joint (full ROM), align limbs circumference and reduce pain. The research group was divided into 2 subgroups. In group I, the control group, improving exercises and physical treatment were applied, while in group II, the experimental one, improvement and physical treatment program was expanded with visualization. The sample selection was random. Results: The research showed that, irrespective of the time after operation, the experimental group felt less pain than the control one, when the latter used classical methods of joint improvement. It was also stated that regardless of the time after operation, the group using visualization achieved greater improvement in the knee flexion than the standard group. The scientists also claimed that the increase in post-operative limb circumference depended on the applied therapeutic method. In the group with a visualization program a linear growth of limb circumference with the passage of time was observed. The experimental group achieved greater improvement in the post-operative leg circumference than the control group. Conclusions: The study shows that visualization may be an effective supplement of a therapeutic procedure; however, deeper evaluation of its efficacy at different stages of patient’s improvement requires further research and observations.

Podczarska-Głowacka M, Łysak A. Use of combined therapy (TENS+UD) and postisometric relaxation (PIR) of muscles in seniors with degenerative disease of the hip joint. J Pre-Clin Clin Res. 2016; 10(2): 95-99. AbstractObjective. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a combined therapy (TENS+UD) and postisometric relaxation of muscles in a 3-week therapeutic programme directed to seniors with diagnosed degenerative disease of the hip joint (OA). Materials and method. The study involved patients with diagnosed degenerative disease of the hip joint. A total of 60 people -11 men and 49 women (mean age -68 years) were examined. The therapy was applied for a period of 3 weeks. Seniors were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. In Group I, the treatment programme included a combined therapy (TENS+UD) and individual exercises, i.e. postisometric relaxation of muscles (PIR) at the hip joint; in Group II, seniors were treated with individual exercises, i.e. postisometric relaxation of muscles (PIR). Results. The study showed that the applied therapeutic programme had a significant effect. In both groups an improvement in mobility after the therapy was shown in all planes of movement. It was also found that the therapy proved effective in fighting pain syndromes. However, it should be noted that after assessing pain twice (VAS, Laitinen Scale) in Group I, the therapy proved to be more effective in fighting pain in comparison to Group II. Conclusions. In non-invasive treatment, in order to increase the analgesic activity in patients with degenerative changes of the hip joint, it is also recommended to include a physical stimulus in the form of combined therapy in the physiotherapeutic procedure, comprising techniques of energising muscles.

Background: The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a 2-week therapeutic programme consisting of combination therapy and postisometric relaxation and its effect on the mobility of joints and the level of perception of pain in patients with osteoarthritis of hip joints. Material/Methods:The research was carried out on subjects clinically and radiologically diagnosed as patients with osteoarthritis of hip joints. 30 subjects, including 7 men and 23 women (average age of 67.8 yrs), underwent the examinations. The therapy lasted 2 weeks and consisted of 10 treatment sessions. The medical program included a combination therapy and individual exercises, i.e. postisometric relaxation of the hip joint. In the combination therapy conventional TENS and ultrasounds were applied. Moreover, tailored exercises were performed systematically every day at home. Results: The study proved that an individually prepared therapeutic program including postisometric relaxation and combination therapy improves ROM in all planes of hip joins in osteoarthritis. It was also stated that after 2 pain assessment tests (the VAS and Laitinen scales) the therapy was confirmed to be a successful method in pain relief. The researchers also noticed that systematically conducted therapy led to reducing the incidence of pain which is manifested by limitation of pharmacotherapy. Conclusions: The research shows that combination therapy together with postisometric relaxation is an effective form of conservative treatment for degenerative changes in the hip joint.