ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Microwave treatment is a common physical therapy method that can increase the temperature and blood circulation of deep tissues, and is used for improving fracture repair. However, microwave treatment cannot be used if there is surgically implanted metal plate or screw. OBJECTIVE: To observe the dame of microwave treatment to the tissues surrounding the titanium alloy implants. METHODS: Forty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into experimental and control groups. The model of the fracture at the middle of the femur was established in all rabbits, and the rabbits in the experimental group were implanted with titanium alloy internal fixation systems. A 30-day microwave treatment (2 450 MHz, 20 W or 40 W, 20 minutes daily) was applied to the fracture site in all rabbits at 3 days after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 20 W of wave microwave treatment, the temperature of tissues around the implants showed no significant increase or severe heat injury. While, 40 W of wave microwave treatment significantly increased the temperature of tissues around the implants and the tissue was damaged severely. Our results indicate that, the low-dosage microwave treatment may be a promising method in the rehabilitation therapy of fractures with titanium alloy internal fixation.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Non-surgical spinal decompression system can be used for the treatment of diseased intervertebral discs and avoid contraction and resistance of paravertebral muscle during traction. At present, there is lack of analysis of the efficacy of non-surgical spinal decompression in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation through surface electromyography. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of non-surgical spinal decompression system DRX9000 with conventional traction device in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation through surface electromyography. METHODS: Totally 60 patients with lumbar disc herniation were randomly divided into DRX9000 group and general traction group, with 30 cases in each group. The patients in DRX9000 group were treated with non-surgical spinal decompression system DRX9000 and the patients in general traction group were treated with conventional tractor. All patients underwent surface electromyography examination of erector spinal muscle and multifidus muscle before and after all treatment to evaluate the strength and fatigue of paravertebral muscle. The Visual Analogue Scale and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were used to assess the degree of pain and impairment due to lumbar disc herniation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After all of the treatment, the average electromyogram and mean power frequency slope of affected erector spinal muscle and multifidus muscle in both groups were increased than those before treatment (P < 0.05). The data of DRX9000 group were significantly higher than that of the general traction group (P < 0.05). (2) After all the treatment, the Visual Analogue Scale score decreased and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased in both groups at the end of treatment compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). The Visual Analogue Scale score of DRX9000 group was significantly lower than that of the general traction group (P < 0.05) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score of DRX9000 group was significantly higher than that of the general traction group (P < 0.05). (3) These results showed that non-surgical spinal decompression system could effectively improve paravertebral muscle activity and muscle strength, lessen muscle fatigue, relieve pain, and improve function in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and its effect is obviously better than that of general traction.