EFFECT OF EXERCISE THERAPY COMBINED WITH MILLIMETER WAVE ON FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AND BIOMARKERS IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract Objectives To explore and analyze the effects of exercise therapy combined with millimeter wave therapy on functional recovery and biomarkers in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods According to the random number table method, 120 KOA patients admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to December 2024 were divided into two groups, with 60 cases in each group. The control group received conventional drug therapy combined with exercise therapy, while the observation group was additionally treated with millimeter wave therapy. The knee joint function, pain degree, inflammatory factors, cartilage metabolism markers and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results After treatment, the observation group showed significantly higher HSS scores (p<.05) and significantly lower VAS scores (p<.05) compared to the control group. The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-3, and CTX-II in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<.05), with statistically significant differences. There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups (p>.05). Conclusions Exercise therapy combined with millimeter wave therapy can effectively promote the recovery of knee joint function, alleviate pain, regulate the levels of inflammatory factors and cartilage metabolism markers in KOA patients, and has good safety.