Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: October | Volume: 8 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 74-81
Oral Diclofenac Sodium, Quadriceps Strengthening Exercises and Infrared Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee in a South-Eastern Nigerian Population
Chima Collins Ihegihu1, Ebere Yvonne Ihegihu2, Emmanuel Chiebuka Okoye3, Ifeoma Adaigwe Okeke3, Prosper Uchenna Okonkwo2, Rita Nkechi Ativie4
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nnamadi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
2Department of Physiotherapy, Nnamadi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
3Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
4Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Emmanuel Chiebuka Okoye
ABSTRACT
Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and quadriceps strengthening exercises (QSE) with infrared radiation therapy (IRT) are usually used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Hardly is there any scientific study comparing the efficacy of these modalities of treatment.
Purpose: The present study was designed to compare the efficacy of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and quadriceps strengthening exercises (QSE) with infrared radiation therapy (IRT) in the treatment of patients with symptomatic KOA in a Nigerian population.
Materials and Methods: This was a randomized control trial involving 70 individuals (31.43% males; mean age=53.07±6.01 years) with symptomatic KOA consecutively recruited from physiotherapy clinic in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups: ODS group and QSE with IRT group. Participants’ quadriceps strength, walking time and knee pain intensity were estimated using Oxford Grading Scale, stop watch and Box Numerical Pain Scale respectively. Participants in the ODS group received a tablet of 50mg of ODS twice daily while participants in the second group received QSE with IRT three times a week for a total duration of seven weeks.
Results: There were significant improvement in pain intensity and walking time in both groups (p<0.05). Quadriceps strength significantly improved only in the QSE with IRT group (t=-12.30; p<0.001). However, the improvement in pain intensity, walking time and quadriceps strength were all significantly more in the QSE with IRT group than in the ODS group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In as much as both oral diclofenac and QSE with IRT can improve pain intensity and walking time among patients with symptomatic, the latter is more efficacious than the former.
Key words: Diclofenac sodium, quadriceps strengthening exercises, infrared radiation therapy, Osteoarthritis of the knee, pain