Assessment of role of Dexamethasone phonophoresis in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A clinical study

Background: The present study was conducted to assess role of Dexamethasone phonophoresis in patients with knee Osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and methods: This study was conducted on 90 patients of knee osteoarthritis of both genders. Group I received DxPh and conventional physical therapy treatment in the form of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) current and exercise (study group). Group 2 received ultrasound therapy and the same conventional physical therapy treatment (control group). Knee pain was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC) pain subscale. Functional mobility was also assessed. Results: There were 25 males and 20 females in group I and 23 males and 22 females in group 2. Pre- treatment VAS in group I was 80.5 and in group 2 was 72.3, post treatment VAS in group I was 38.4 and in group 2 was 58.5. Pre- treatment TUD in group I was 12.5 and in group 2 was 10.4, post treatment TUG was 7.8 in group I and 9.3 in group 2, pre-treatment WOMAC pain score in group I was 14.6 and in group 2 was 12.2, post treatment score was 6.7 in group I and 8.3 in group 2, pre- treatment WOMAC stiffness in group I was 6.8 and in group 2 was 5.2, post treatment was 2.9 in group I and 4.9 in group 2, pre- treatment WOMAC function score was 43.5 in group I and 44.3 in group 2, post treatment was 19.2 in group I and 32.3 in group 2, WOMAC pre- treatment score in group I was 66.4 and in group 2 was 61.2, post treatment total score in group I was 28.3 and in group 2 was 46.7. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Authors found that DxPh resulted in a greater improvement in pain and function in patients with knee OA than therapeutic ultrasound combined with exercise and TENS.