Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative joint disorder characterized by cartilage deterioration and persistent pain. Currently, there are no disease-modifying drugs and pharmacological treatments are unsatisfactory for OA. Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of whole-body vibration (WBV), a nondemanding physical intervention, on pain behaviors and cartilage morphology in male and female mice with knee OA. Methods: acceleration) for 15 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 13 weeks, beginning 3 weeks after MMT, using a custom-made WBV device. Behavioral analysis included assessment of mechanical sensitivity (by von Frey filaments), the hind limb use (by dynamic weight-bearing), heat sensitivity (by Hargreaves test), locomotor activity (in open field boxes), and body weight. Microcomputed tomography was used to examine cartilage morphology. Results: Medial meniscal transection triggered mechanical hypersensitivity, reduced OA limb use, and induced cartilage damage in the medial and lateral compartments of femur and tibia, in both sexes. Whole-body vibration substantially alleviated mechanical hypersensitivity and improved limb use for up to 4 months after MMT, without affecting heat sensitivity, locomotor activity, or body weight. Furthermore, WBV considerably reduced the percentage of subchondral bone denuded of cartilage and increased cartilage thickness in the femur and tibia. Conclusion: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of WBV as a nonpharmacological approach to relieve pain and restore cartilage integrity in knee OA.
Temp et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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