Evaluation of the analgesic effectiveness of pulsed magnetic therapy and light therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a common form of degenerative-inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system with significant impairment of motor function, which is one of the main causes of disability in the population. AIM: To evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of the use of electromagnetic field and light radiation in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial included 90 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint (Kellgren–Lawrence osteoarthritis grade II). They were divided into three groups: group I (30 patients) who received pulsed magnetic therapy; group 2 (30 patients) receiving light therapy; and group III (30 patients) who received pulsed magnetic therapy and light therapy. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analogue scale and Laitinen scales before and after a series of procedures. RESULTS: A significant analgesic effect after treatment was obtained in each of the study groups, since between the groups there were significant differences in pain intensity according to VAS before and after the procedures. In group I, when treated with an electromagnetic field, the difference was 27.5 mm; in group II, which received light therapy, the difference was 13.4 mm; and in group III, when treated with an electromagnetic field and light, the difference was 21.7 mm. According to the Laitinen scale, the differences were smaller, although the distribution was similar. CONCLUSION: The therapy used has shown that pulsed electromagnetic therapy provides the greatest positive results in reducing pain in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joints. Combined magnetic field therapy and light treatment showed somewhat less but significant analgesic effectiveness. Light therapy used alone appears to have the least analgesic effect.