Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread degenerative joint condition that affects individuals across various age groups, particularly in older adults. Effective management strategies, including physiotherapy interventions such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Ultrasound Therapy (US), are essential for alleviating symptoms like pain, stiffness, and functional limitations. However, limited research compares the combined effects of these modalities along with structured exercise on outcomes such as pain reduction, muscle strength, and functional improvement. Objective: The current case study aims to assess the impact of TENS & US, combined with a consistent exercise regimen, on pain reduction, muscle strength, and Quality of Life in patient with knee OA. Case Report: A 52-year-old female patient with chronic right knee pain underwent a four-week treatment protocol consisting of two phases: Phase 1 involved TENS therapy (Weeks 1-2), and Phase 2 involved US therapy (Weeks 3-4). Both phases were complemented by a uniform exercise program focused on strengthening, flexibility, and aerobic conditioning. Results: Pain, measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), decreased from 7/10 at baseline to 4/10 after TENS therapy and further reduced to 3/10 after US therapy. And pain decreased from 15/20 to 10/20 in TENS and 7/20 in US in Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain: Knee Osteoarthritis (ICOAP). Muscle strength improved in both quadriceps and hamstrings, with an increase in strength from Grade 3 to Grade 4 in the quadriceps and Grade 4 to Grade 4+ in the hamstrings. Range of Motion (ROM): Flexion: 100° (right), 130° (left); Extension: 0° bilaterally. The SF-36 score, indicating the patient’s functional capability and QOL, improved from 45/100 to 55/100 after TENS therapy and 45/100 to 65/100 after US therapy over the course of the study. Discussion: The combination of TENS and US therapy provided significant benefits for pain relief, muscle strength, and functional recovery in this knee OA patient. TENS was effective in managing acute pain, allowing better engagement in rehabilitation exercises, while US therapy contributed to long-term functional improvements. Conclusion: This case study suggests that a sequential approach combining TENS and US therapy, alongside a structured exercise program, can be an effective strategy for managing knee OA. More research with bigger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is necessary to validate these results and improve treatment guidelines. Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), Ultrasound Therapy (US), Physiotherapy, Pain management, Muscle strength, Functional outcomes, Rehabilitation, Case study.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call