The role of ultrasound in the recovery of patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes pain and invalidity in people over 40. The patient feels pains, limitation of mobility, physical dysfunction, joint cramps, in stability and walking disorders. The study aims at assessing the effects of ultrasound application and at quantifying the results obtained in order to increase the patients' quality of life that were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. The objectives pursued in the study were: to reduce pain, to keep /increase joint mobility, to increase muscle strength, to reduce in stabilit, to minimize physical disability and to increase the patients' quality of life. The study was conducted in an ambulatory regime and respected ethical and deontological principles. The patients' assessment was performed at the beginning and at end of the treatment after 10 days and at the examination after 45 days. In the patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis it was found that the use of combined ultrasound, pulsed formed and kinetotherapy treatment in the study group allowed, in addition to the pain reduction, also the mobility and joint function increase, compared only to the kinetotherapy applied to the control group.