Osteoarthritis is said to be a group of diseases and mechanical irregularities concerning deterioration of joints, counting articular cartilage and the subchondral bone adjacent to it. A Henry Ford Hospital study claims that electromagnetic pulses may considerably reduce pain and inflammation related to osteoarthritis of the knee.
In the double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study, roughly 34 patients utilized a moveable battery-operated device that seems to discharge a low-intensity pulsating electromagnetic frequency and supposedly experienced more than 40 percent pain relief on their first day.
Fred Nelson, M.D., associate program director for research and director of the Osteoarthritis Center, Department of Orthopaedics, Henry Ford Hospital, commented, “Our results show pulsed electromagnetic fields caused a significant decrease in pain.â€
Dr. Nelson clarifies that in the laboratory; electromagnetic signals have supposedly illustrated to reduce calcium in cartilage cells. This appears to trigger a chain of chemical events that may result in decreased inflammation. Formerly, the electromagnetic fields have apparently been applied to control pain associated with cosmetic surgery.
Dr. Nelson, mentioned, “We are really fine-tuning what we are doing to the cell environment with a very specific pulse sequence and frequency.â€
Patients had to supposedly fasten the small, ring-shaped plastic device around their knees for roughly 15 minutes, twice daily for six weeks. The device was lightweight and patients could place the device straightaway over clothing. Every subject received a device with a coil that seemed to work but some were allocated active coils and others were given non-active coils. The electromagnetic device was said to be crafted by Ivivi Health Sciences of Montvale, New Jersey.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is said to be a major reason for disability and loss of independence. It is claimed to be a slow, increasingly degenerative disease in which the joint cartilage may eventually wear away owing to trauma, aging or infection. As the cartilage thins, the adjacent bone seems to thicken and frequently bones stroke against one another, thereby causing supplementary wear. Regular activity may turn out to be painful and complicated.
Present treatments comprise of drug therapies such as anti-inflammatory medication or pain relievers; physical therapy; support devices; health and behavioral alterations like weight loss; surgery and joint replacement. Dr. Nelson clarifies that medications may frequently have inconsistent success and may generate significant side effects like variations in kidney and liver function, a decrease in the capability of blood to clot plus abdominal pain, nausea and indigestion.
Dr. Nelson remarked, “The exciting thing about this new approach is that it has been found to have no side effects, it is relatively low-cost in the long-run and the onset of pain relief is immediate. We look at electromagnetic pulses as a potential way to improve quality of life and independence for those who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee.â€
Dr. Nelson mentioned that scientists may carry on observing the uniformity of the relief, how long the pain relief lasts and if electromagnetic pulses could affect other joints.
Dr. Nelson will present the findings at the Orthopaedic Research Society’s annual meeting in New Orleans.