Intrasound therapy: an effective alternative to sodium diclofenac phonophoresis in the management of mechanical chronic cervical spine pain

The efficacy of Sodium Diclofenac Phonophoresis (SDP) as an effective adjunct in the management of inflammation and pain has been established though its application entails complicated choices of treatment parameters. Intrasound Therapy (IST), acclaimed for its simplicity of operation has been reported to promote healing though no studies have been done on its effect in Chronic cervical spine pain (CCSP). The aim of this study was to determine if IST could be an effective therapeutic option to SDP as an adjunct in the management of CCSP. Forty seven (47) participants with CCSP that had definite diagnoses were randomly assigned into 3 groups. All participants had exercises and massage while in addition, group 1 had SDP and group 2 IST for 10 minutes each. Participants were treated for 40 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks and were evaluated for pain, Quality of life (QoL), disability and range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the outcome parameters in each group and data presented as Mean ± SEM with significance at p<0.05. IST and SDP significantly (p˂0.05) improved the clinical parametres compared with the control group and there were no significant (p ˃0.05) differences in clinical outcome between the IST and SDP groups. IST was as effective as SDP and considering its relative simplicity of operation could be an alternative therapeutic adjunct in the management of chronic cervical pain

The Effects of Varied Intensities of Intrasound Therapy with Indomethacin on the Morphology of the Healing Tendon

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing intrasound therapy are often concurrently on NSAIDs. The effect of varied intensities of intrasound therapy with NSAIDs on tendon healing is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the effects of a concurrent admistration of low and high intensity intrasound therapy (LIRTetHIRT) with indomethacin (Indocid) on the morphology of the tendon in the early stage of healing. METHODS: Thirty five male rats were divided randomly into seven groups; groups 2-6 underwent an induced crush injury. Group 1; nil injury and nil treatment. Group 2: injury but nil treatment. Group 3: Indomethacin only. Group 4: LIRT only; Group 5: Indocidand LIRT; Group 6: HIRT; Group 7: Indocid and HIRT. Intrasound therapy (IRT) commenced 24 hours post-injury and was given alternate days for the first 10 days post injury. Indocid was given at a dosage of 0.4 mg/kg body weight daily. On the 11 day post injury; the animals were sacrificed and the tendons excised and processed for histological study. RESULTS: Indocid significantly (p 0.05) reduced the tenocyte population when combined with LIRT but marginally increased it when combined with HIRT (p 0.05). There was significant difference in the tenocyte population between the combined Indocid and LIRT and the combined Indocid and HIRT groups (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: High intensity intrasound given concurrently with oral indomethacin resulted in tenoblast proliferation and promoted healing in the injured tendon

The Effects of Lateral Wedge Insole in the Management of Patients with Varus Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Although insufficient evidence supports the application of lateral wedge insole (LWI) as a non-operative treatment for medial/varus osteoarthritis of the knee joint; objective evaluation of its effects on pain; stiffness and functional disability is limited. The purpose of the study therefore was to determine the effect of LWI on the functional disability and symptoms resulting from the medial/varus osteoarthritis of the knee.Fifty (50) out of 76 patients referred for physiotherapy with diagnosis of varus osteoarthritis of the knee joint participated in this study. The 50 subjects were randomly assigned into 2 groups of 25 patients each. Group A (Experimental); were treated with thermal therapy; massage and LWI. Group B (Control); were treated with thermal therapy and massage only. The outcome measures included knee pain; knee stiffness and functional disability. These parameters were statistically analysed pre and post treatment.Results established a significant difference (p0.05) post treatment between the 2 groups for the outcome measures except knee stiffness. It can be inferred from the results that the therapeutic reduction in pain intensity and enhanced physical activities in group A compared with group B was induced by the LWI.These results provide some insight into the functional effects of the LWI on pain; knee stiffness and functional disability of patients with medial osteoarthritis of the knee. This makes the LWI a useful treatment modality in the management of varus osteoarthritis/varum gonarthrosis

Effect of Balance Exercise on Selected Kinematic Gait Variables in Patients with Knee Joint Osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of balance exercise on some selected kinematic gait parameters in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis. Forty subjects (18 men and 22 women) participated in the study. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 (experimental) that was treated with balance exercises; thermal therapy and soft tissue massage; Group 2 (control); treated with thermal therapy and soft tissue massage without balance exercise. Gait analysis was done from footprints on a 900cm walking paper and functional balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale. The result showed a significant difference (P0.05) in all the gait parameters except step width and foot angle for group 1 and only walking velocity for group 2. The functional balance was significantly different in group 1 and not in group 2 comparing the pre and post treatment variables. It was concluded that balance exercise is effective in improving the functional ambulation of patient with knee osteoarthritis and should be an integral part of the patient rehabilitation