Abstract
[Purpose] In this case study, we investigated the effect of pulsed ultrasound therapy (US) for early knee osteoarthritis (OA) with severe synovitis and joint effusion. [Subject] The subject was a 70-year-old woman with left knee OA. [Method] The subject received 12 sessions (three times weekly) of pulse US therapy for 10 minutes per session at a frequency of 1.0 MHz, intensity of 0.5 W/cm2, and pulsed mode (20%). Findings by ultrasonography, pain, range of motion, muscular strength and JKOM were assessed before and after treatment. [Result] Synovitis and joint effusion measured by ultrasonography, pain, range of motion, muscular strength and JKOM improved. [Conclusion] These results show that pulsed US is an effective anti-inflammatory treatment for patients who have early knee osteoarthritis with severe synovitis and joint effusion.
