Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that promotes chronic and joint decrease, which is prevalent in the elderly. There are several therapeutic approaches for the treatment of pain, including therapeutic ultrasound and laser therapy, therapeutic resources are not included in the treatment of this disease. The aim of this study was to distinguish between a single application of the laser therapy/therapeutic ultrasound resources in relation to the effect of the synergistic applications of the same resources in patients with knee osteoarthrosis. Thirty patients were selected, being 10 patients per group, randomly distributed. In addition, patients did not have access to the form of a course, characterizing a blind study. Patients were assessed by Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for osteoarthritis of the knee. All patients completed the Visual Analogue Scale. Analogue scale, fossil of greater abnormality, larger or smaller wall, conjugated according to natural resources. A greater percentage difference was observed in the comparison between laser versus ultralaser (50%) and therapeutic ultrasound versus ultralaser (130%), when compared to functionality (WOMAC). When comparing the Visual Analogue Scale, a greater reduction of pain was observed by the combined use of resources in relation to the resources singularly, for both the right and left knees. The results showed that synergic therapy was more efficient in the treatment of knee osteoarthrosis in relation to the use of the therapies alone, in relation to both joint function and pain. The use of new technologies provides a new treatment approach, without the use of drugs and non-invasively, allowing a better quality of life of patients with this chronic and degenerative pathology.

Keywords: Osteoarthritis; Laser therapy; Therapeutic ultrasound; Ultralaser