Impact of a novel physical and electrotherapy in bilateral knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Introduction A cure for osteoarthritis is unknown. However, lessen the discomfort and symptoms by implementing several lifestyle changes and therapies. Reducing discomfort, enhancing joint mobility, and halting more joint injury are the goals of therapy. Purpose To evaluate the combined effect of wax therapy, Ultrasound therapy, Interferential therapy, stretching and resisted exercises when compare to Pulsed shortwave diathermy and resisted exercise among bilateral osteoarthritis knee patients. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial conducted on participant aged above 45 with Bilateral knee osteoarthritis, in the Outpatient Physiotherapy Department, B.K.L Walawalkar Rural Medical Hospital, Sawarde, Maharastra. The outcome measure used were Visual Analoue Scale for pain, Goniometer for bilateral knee flexion and extension Range of Motion, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Result There were significant improvements in the experimental group and control group in terms of the pre-test and post-test scores for the Pain by VAS ( p = 0.000 < 0.05), average both knee flexion ROM by goniometry ( p = 0.000 < 0.05), average both knee extension ROM by goniometry ( p = 0.000 < 0.05), speed 50 Meters (in distance/time) ( p = 0.000 < 0.05) and WOMAC by physiotherapy ( p = 0.000 < 0.05). Conclusion The combined effect of Paraffin Wax Therapy, Ultrasound therapy, Interferential therapy, stretching, and resisted exercises in bilateral osteoarthritis knee patients significantly relieved the knee pain with increased knee flexion/extension range of motion, increased speed of walking for 50 m on floor and improved WOMAC Score when compare to pulsed shortwave diathermy with resisted exercises.