Abstract
Background: knee Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability. Shockwaves have been used as an alternative treatment for musculoskeletal disorders; intra-articular injection of steroid is a common treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Shock wave therapy versus Corticosteroid intra articular injection in case of knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: Sixty patients were diagnosed mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis; they were included in the study. Their ages were 43:65 years with mean age 50 +/- 3.5 years. Patients were divided randomly into three equal groups, group (A) received shock wave therapy, group (B) received two intra-articular injections of corticosteroid at 1-month intervals and group (C) received sham shock wave. The outcome measurements were Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthritis index (WOMAC) values, knee ROM, and pain severity using the visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded. The patients were evaluated for these parameters before allocated in their groups then after 1, 2, and 6months later.
Results: compared to sham group there were significant improvement of VAS and ROM of shock wave group and corticosteroid injection group than sham (placebo) group (p<0.000), (p<0.006, and 0.02) respectively. Furthermore there was significant improve of shock wave group than corticosteroid injection group where p was <0.000 for VAS, ROM and (WOMAC).
Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that shock wave therapy may provide effective modality for relieving pain, increase Range of motion and improve function in knee osteoarthritis patient than intra articular corticosteroid injection.