[Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerance of radioactive fangotherapy in gonarthrosis. Comparative study versus short wave therapy].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Spa therapy is frequently used in daily rheumatological practice, but its benefit remains to be evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of mud-packs and mineral baths with fluorurate radioactivity water from the thermal resort of Merano (Bolzano) versus short wave therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the knees.

METHODS:

Forty-eight patients were treated for a period of two weeks with mineral water baths and mineral mud-packs and twenty-four patients were treated with short-wave therapy for the same period. Assessment criteria were spontaneous pain ratings on a visual analogue scale (VAS), functional impairment (Lequesne's index), quality of life index (AIMS1), analgesic and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs consumption and patient and physician assessment of effectiveness and tolerability of treatments. These criteria were recorded at the beginning and at the end of the treatments and after 3 months.

RESULTS:

A significant improvement (p < 0.0001) in the Lequesne's index, in the VAS and a significant decrease in analgesic consumption was achieved in both groups up to 15 days. The improvement remains to the end of the follow-up period only in the group treated with spa therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study suggests that spa therapy has a prolonged, beneficial, symptomatic effect in osteoarthritis of the knees.

• Authors: A Fioravanti, S Bisogno, F Nerucci, M R Cicero, S Locunsolo, R Marcolongo
• Journal: Minerva medica (Minerva Med) 2000 Nov-Dec Vol. 91 Issue 11-12 Pg. 291-8 ISSN: 0026-4806 [Print] Italy
• Vernacular Title: Valutazione dell'efficacia e della tollerabilità della fangobalneoterapia radioattiva nella gonartrosi. Studio comparativo versus marconiterapia.
• PMID: 11253710 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fluorides

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Fluorides (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mud Therapy (methods)
• Osteoarthritis, Knee (therapy)
• Radiofrequency Therapy