Comparison of Low Power Laser with %1 Hydrocortisone Phonophoresis (HcP) in the Treatment of the Knee Joint Osteoarthritis

Knee is affected to osteoarthritis more than any other joints. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of low power laser with %1 HcP in treatment of knee osteoarthritis. This double blinded clinical trial study was performed in Fattemieh physiotherapy clinic of Rafsanjan during 2011-2012. Ninety patients who were suffering from osteoarthritis of knee were divided randomly into three equal groups. The first group received laser، the second group was treated by %1 HcP and the third group received placebo. Intensity of pain، improvement of movement and inflammation were assessed during 1st، 5th and 10th sessions. Pain intensity، movement and inflammation were evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)، goniameter and meter، respectively. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA، followed by Tukey''s multiple comparisons test. Findings showed that 10 sessions of laser can be more effective than %1 HcP in reduction of pain in state of rest and movement of knee osteoarthritis (p<0. 001). In relation to knee joint movements، laser and %1 HcP were more effective than placebo (p<0. 001)، but they did not reveal any significant difference. Laser (p=0. 421) and %1 HcP (P=0. 713) were no more effective than placebo in reducing the inflammation of knee. It can be concluded that 10 sessions of laser could be more effective than %1 HcP in reduction of pain of knee osteoarthritis، but in the improvement of movements both of them (laser and %1 HcP) could be effective.