Effect of hydrocortisone ultrasonic phonophoresis in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

(1) Background: Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a frequent type of degenerative joint disease, which results in a gradual loss of function, discomfort, and stiffness. KOA can be effectively treated with oral drugs such as corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs may raise the dangers of renal, gastrointestinal, and other systemic toxicities. Compared with oral NSAIDs, topical gels are an alternative therapeutic option with fewer side effects, with less therapeutic efficacy. Studies on ultrasound (US) as a therapeutic method go back a long time in KOA. US not only relieves symptoms but may also provide potential cartilage repair effects, and regulates inflammatory responses. Widely used as a physical enhancer of drug absorption is ultrasonic phonophoresis. By making the skin more permeable to topical pharmaceuticals, it improves the absorption of drugs used topically. (2) Material and method: A monocentric study was conducted in the Center of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation-"Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați on 20 patients, diagnosed with bilateral and unilateral moderate KOA. The experimental group (EG) included 10 patients who received 10 sessions of PT (Physical Therapy), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and Ultrasound (US) phonophoresis therapy with hydrocortisone 10mg/g. The control group (CG) included 10 patients who received 10 sessions of TENS and US with neutral gel. (3) Results: All patients were clinically assessed with The "timed up and go test" (TUG), pain scale (VAS), and WOMAC. The t-test was used to calculate the statistical differences between the means of the EG and CG. (4) Conclusion: Hydrocortisone therapy combined with PT had a beneficial effect on pain and functional mobility in patients with KOA form EG. Furthermore, significantly greater improvement was observed among the intervention group with hydrocortisone.