Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease that impacts people{u2019}s quality of life and puts a burden on health care costs. Purpose: to compare the effectiveness of diclofenac sodium phonophoresis (DSPH) with conventional therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) on knee OA. Subjects and methods: Fifty patients (two groups) had participated in this study. Group (A); consists of 25 patients (5 males, 20 females), with mean age 57 years, treated with TUS for 5 min. plus exercises. Group (B); consists of 25 patients (8 males, 17 females), with mean age 54 years, treated with DSPH for 5 min. plus exercises. Each patient was assessed for knee pain intensity level and physical function using WOMAC index and knee flexion ROM using digital inclinometer pretreatment, posttreatment and follow up one month after treatment. Results: There were non-significant difference in WOMAC score among group (A), and significant difference between pre and posttreatment and between pretreatment and follow up in WOMAC score among group (B) (P- value <0.003*). Significant difference between pretreatment and posttreatment and between posttreatment and follow up in knee flexion ROM (P- value <0.03*) among group (A) and significant only between pre and posttreatment in knee flexion ROM(P- value = 0.000*) among group (B). There were non-significant difference between group (A) and (B) neither at posttreatment nor at follow up in WOMAC score or in knee flexion ROM

Issued also as CD