Intra-articular temperature measurements after superficial heating.
Superficial heating of the joint is widely used in various rheumatic conditions and is considered as decreasing the intra-articular temperature. This study shows that heating the joint with hot pack significantly increases the articular temperature from 35.2 +/- 1.5 degrees C (mean +/- SD) to 36.4 +/- 1.0 degrees C (p less than 0.001), while intra-cavity temperature of the contralateral unheated knee joint did not change significantly. Since such elevation of temperature of one degree C is liable to enhance the inflammatory process, the use of superficial heating has to be carefully reconsidered in acute and chronic inflammatory joint diseases.
Weinberger
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine D, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Fadilah
R
R
Lev
A
A
Pinkhas
J
J
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001831:Body Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*