The evaluation of effects of the complex spa balneotherapy in patients with the osteoarthritis of the knee and hip.
Summary
Purpose: To evaluate effects of complex spa balneotherapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip.
Materials and methods: The clinical study in 40 patiens with clinically symptomatic osteoarthritis of hip and knee joint according to Kellgren and Lawrence, 1963, treated in Slovak Health Spa Piešťany,a.s., during median 19 days, were evaluated joint pain, stiffness and function using visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Questionnaire (WOMAC).
Results: Complex balneotherapy confirmed a statiscitally significant decraese in pain intensity ( VAS :67,12 vs 34,50, Womac:15,35 vs 8,9 , p<0,001 ), a degrease of joint stiffness ( WOMAC : 5,02 vs 3,20, p < 0,001 ) an improvement of articular function (WOMAC: 49,30, to 31,40, p<0,001 ) and also improvement of general WOMAC score ( from 69,7 to 43,6)
Conclusions: Complex spa balneotherapy lasting 21 days led in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip to pain relief, decrease of joint stiffness and improvement of articular function .
MUDr. Zimanová Tamara
