Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with pulsed electromagnetic fields: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Applying between group analysis we were unable to demonstrate a beneficial symptomatic effect of PEMF in the treatment of knee OA in all patients. However, in patients <65 years of age there is significant and beneficial effect of treatment related to stiffness.

Treatment of osteochondral defects of the talus

“…PEMF as a solitary treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee has been repeatedly investigated, with confl icting results. 131,188,278,385,400 Although the eff ect of PEMFs on osteoarthritis of the knee seems equivocal, their value in the additional treatment of other bony and cartilaginous pathologies is promising. PEMFs have been proven as a successful method in fracture healing, especially in the case of nonunion.…”

The effects of EMF (ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS) on the Bone and Cartilage Tissue

“…Clinical studies showed EMF exposure might be useful fort he treatment of degenerative cartilage disorders such as osteoarthritis [6]. Several studies have investigated the effects of EMF on cartilage cells and tissue showing that EMF can stimulate chondrocyte proliferation and increase the amount of cartilage ECM (Extracellular matrix) components.…”

Efficacy of selected complementary and alternative medicine interventions for chronic pain

“…PEMF has now been in use for more than 3 decades and no negative side effects have been reported [15]. Four RCTs applied PEMF to the treatment of knee OA [16][17][18][19], two to patients with cervical spine OA [18,20], and one to patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder [21]. All RCTs were double-blind treatments that used sham PEMF in the control group.…”

“…All RCTs were double-blind treatments that used sham PEMF in the control group. The first study that used PEMF to treat knee OA included 83 patients and found significant improvements in pain and stiffness in the patients under age 65 [16]. The second knee OA study applied PEMF to 36 patients and found reduced impairment in activities of daily living and improved knee function [17].…”