A study of 30 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty surgery may elicit changes in rehabilitation schedules post-operatively.
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is usually associated with moderate to severe local inflammatory reactions, which can lead to constant pain for up to one year following surgery. Different methods have been tested to reduce post-op inflammatory reactions, but none produced ideal results. A new study used pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) to observe if they can limit inflammation and enhance patient recovery.
METHOD – A controlled study of 30 randomized patients undergoing TKA was used for this study. One group received the electromagnetic therapy for 4 hours/day for 60 days while the control group did not. Other than the PEMFs therapy, both groups underwent the same rehabilitation program. Patients were evaluated one, two, six, and 12 months after TKA.
RESULTS – Patient outcome was assessed using the Knee Society Score, SF-36 Health Survey and VAS. Pre-op, no differences were noted between the two groups in terms of age, sex, weight, height, Knee Society Score, SF-36, VAS or joint swelling. Patients in the I-ONE group who underwent the PEMFs treatments exhibited significantly better results than the control group during their post-op visits. Joint swelling resolution was more rapid in the I-ONE group, and the effects of the PEMFs therapy were maintained after the electromagnetic therapy was discontinued.
CONCLUSION – The results show that inflammation and joint-swelling was reduced among patients in the I-ONE group. I-ONE therapy should be considered after TKA to enhance patient recovery time and to reduce discomfort and swelling.
Dr. Silverman comments
Doctors love to be critical of medical studies. It’s almost a hobby of mine.
This study is very interesting. The results are impressive, but the lack of a double-blind study is enormous. The fact that the control group was not given a disabled or non-functional stimulator means that the control group knew they weren’t getting the extra treatment, while the I-ONE group knew they were receiving the electromagnetic therapy. Subjective scores have been largely affected by the placebo effect, which was not in place in this study.
I would be very interested in seeing this study performed in a more controlled manner and in other surgeries that are associated with inflammation, especially in the foot and ankle. If PEMFs therapy could be used in the foot and ankle region, it’s possible that much of the post-op narcotic use could be avoided.
Related Source:
Medscape.com
