Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: It is clear that OA is a complex multifactorial disease process involving cartilage catabolism and anabolism. LIPUS may play a potential chondroprotective role in chondrocyte metabolism; enhance cell proliferation and matrix production. Objective: is to investigate the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy on cartilage repaired and pain in patient with grade 2 or 3 osteoarthritis of the knee Methods: Thirty-two osteoarthritic women with mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis ageing between50 to 70 years with BMI between 28.7 to 47.2 kg / m2 participated in this study. As each subject was her control in a single group pretest posttest study design. All participants received the treatment of low intensity pulsed ultra sound (LIPUS) for successive three months. And evaluated before and after treatment using the musculoskeletal ultrasound for cartilage thickness and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain severity. Results: The statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between mean values of the relative differences of MSUS and VAS before and after LIPUS treatment. Both knees showed a significant increase in MSUS but the left knees showed a higher increase both knees showed a significant decrease in VAS but the right knee showed a higher decrease. Conclusions: low intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy may be considered as one of the most helpful methods of physiotherapy in management of knee osteoarthritis in female with second and third degree of osteoarthritis

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