An evaluation of pulsed shortwave on knee osteoarthritis using radioleucoscintigraphy: a randomised, double blind, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of pulsed shortwave on osteoarthritis of the knee.


METHODS
A double blinded, randomised, controlled trial. Thirteen female and 14 male patients with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to either low dose (10 W), or high dose (20 W) or placebo high frequency pulsed shortwave. Knee radioleucoscintigraphy was performed pre and post treatment as well as objective functional and subjective evaluations.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the groups in the pre and post treatment percentage change for radioleucoscintigraphy (P > 0.05). Functional and subjective measures also revealed no pre and post treatment differences between the groups (P > 0.05), except for improved knee range of motion in the placebo group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Joint inflammation in knee osteoarthritis, measured using radioleucoscintigraphy, was not altered significantly by pulsed shortwave, therefore this therapeutic modality has little or no anti-inflammatory effect on conditions such as osteoarthritis of the knee.
Callaghan
Michael J
MJ
Centre for Rehabilitation Science, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. michael.callaghan@man.ac.uk
Whittaker
Paula E
PE
Grimes
Stephen
S
Smith
Linda
L
D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012780:Short-Wave Therapy; D017211:Treatment Failure