Extracorporeal shock wave therapy versus dexamethasone iontophoresis as a treatment for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

Purpose The goal of this pilot study was to compare and evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DEX-P) iontophoresis in patients who have unilateral symptomatic knee OA (KOA). Methods Pre-post single-blind randomised experimental trial. The therapeutic program was performed twice per week for 4 weeks. Sixty patients with unilateral symptomatic KOA were randomly divided into three groups. Intensity of pain, pressure threshold for pain, knee function, and knee range of motion (ROM) were measured before and after therapy in all three groups. Results The improvement in the shock wave group was significantly greater than the iontophoresis group. Conclusions ESWT has a superior therapeutic effect in patients with symptomatic KOA.