Özet:

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or therapeutic ultrasound (US) increase the effectiveness of exercise on pain, function, musle strength and quality of life for knee osteoarthritis(OA). METHODS: Forty-five patients with primary knee OA diagnosis according to ACR criteria were divided into 3 random groups. The patients in group 1 received TENS (with superficial heat and exercise), group 2 received US (with superficial heat and exercise), and group 3 acted as controls (superficial heat and exercise). Outcome measures were included as visual analog scale (VAS), 20-meter walking, Lequesne index, WOMAC scores, isokinetic muscle testing, and the Short Form 36 (SF 36). All of the patients were subjected to six weeks of exercise program. RESULTS: All of the treatment groups had significant improvement on activity VAS, 20 meter walking, Lequesne, WOMAC scores, and most of the subscores of SF36 when compared with their initial status (p<0.05). All of the treatment groups, a significant musle strength gain in most of the angular velocity in knee extensor PT values after the treatment (p<0.05). However there was no statistically significant difference after the treatment between the all treatment groups (p>0,05). CONCLUSION: All of the treatment groups were effective on pain, function, musle strength and quality of life in patients with knee OA. Statistically significant differences could not be found between the treatment groups. The exercise program, as it is cheaper, more easily performed and efficient, may be preferable for the treatment of knee OA.

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