Effects of Non-Thermal Ultrasound Therapy on a Total Knee Arthroplasty Patient

Abstract

In accordance with a single case design we performed non-thermal ultrasound (u/s) therapy on a patient after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and the purpose of this study was to ascertain its effect on pain and range of motion (ROM). The subject received TKA for rheumatoid arthritis on Feb. 25th, 1997. The u/s therapy equipment had an effective radiating area of 4 cm2, beam nonuniformity ratio of 3:1, output of 0.2 W/cm2, frequency of 1.0 MHz, and duty cycle rate of 20%. Two weeks after TKA we performed therapy in the order of placebo u/s therapy, u/s therapy, and placebo u/s therapy, and measured ROM with a goniometer, and pain by the visual analog scale. The flexion ROM showed an improvement in u/s therapy and a deteriorating trend in the second baseline period. A non-thermal effect of ultrasound therapy was shown, however, research giving consideration to irradiation times and frequency of repetition will be necessary. © 1998, The Society of Physical Therapy Science. All rights reserved.