Effect Of Continuous Short Wave Diathermy and Infra Red Ray in Management of Symptomatic Knee Joint Osteoarthritis: A Comparative Study

The study compared the effect of
continuous short wave diathermy (CSWD)
and Infrared radiation (IRR) in the
management of symptomatic knee
osteoarthritis (SKOA) patients
Fifty patients with SKOA receiving
treatment at Obafemi Awolowo Teaching
Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, were randomly
assigned equally into CSWD, Group A and
IRR Group B. Subjects in the two groups
had isometric strengthening exercises to the
quadriceps muscles. Group A and B had
for 15 minutes CSWD and IRR
respectively twice in a week for 6 weeks.
Present pain intensity and joint range of
motion were measured before the
treatment, 3 weeks and 6 weeks of
treatment. Data were analysed using
Descriptive and inferential statistics. There
was a significant reduction in pain intensity
of subjects in group A (f=11.05, p=0.001)
and group B (f=3.843, p=0.045) between
pre-treatment, and 6
th week of treatment.
Pain intensity of group A was less than that
of Group B at 3
rd week. CSWD and IRR are
equally effective in alleviating pain
intensity of patients with SKOA but CSWD
may reduce it faster.