Preparations and substances for phonophoresis, ultrasound gels

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a non-inflammatory joint disease, which is characterized by cartilage pathology, deformation and decreased range of motion in the affected joint. The disease can be symmetrical or unilateral.

More often the disease is diagnosed in women after forty years. There are many causes of arthrosis of the knee joint. These include improper formation of joint surfaces from adolescence, injuries, excessive load on the joints, metabolic disorders, a history of surgical treatment of the joint, etc.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint progresses slowly. At an early stage, clinical signs are mild or completely absent. Over time, mild pain and/or discomfort in the knee joints appears. At the second stage of arthrosis of the knee joint, pain and discomfort intensify with any additional load, movement, change in weather, etc. Movement in the knee joint is limited and may be accompanied by a “crunching” sensation. Further progression of the disease is characterized by the appearance of pain at rest. The pain syndrome is pronounced and intense. The course changes, movements in the joints are sharply limited, the discomfort is constant.

If the cause of the development of arthrosis of the knee joint is a traumatic injury, then the disease progresses faster and the symptoms are more pronounced.

Diagnostic data is provided by x-ray examination and magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment for arthrosis of the knee joint depends on the stage. But surgical, medicinal and physical therapy is used for arthrosis of the knee joint. Therapy may not be aimed at treating arthrosis, but at relieving symptoms.

Complications of arthrosis of the knee joint can include inflammatory diseases, deformities, degeneration, etc.

At the Yusupov Hospital, doctors diagnose and treat many diseases every day. The wide profile of the Yusupov Hospital is associated with the desire to help everyone. Osteoarthritis of the knee joints is a fairly common disease, but delaying diagnosis and treatment leads to deterioration of the joints and worsening symptoms.

For diagnostics, the Yusupov Hospital has all the necessary equipment. And treatment at the highest level is carried out in comfortable conditions. The wards of the Yusupov Hospital are single, two-, three- and four-bed. Physiotherapy for arthritis of the knee joint is carried out under the supervision of an experienced specialist, using high-quality equipment, modern exercise equipment, etc.

A consultation with a specialist at the Yusupov Hospital will help patients understand the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease. Doctors will answer all questions and develop a patient management plan, which includes diagnostic procedures, treatment tactics and management of the recovery period. Appointments for consultations by phone or online are available 24 hours a day.

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Ultrasound treatment, magnetic therapy and electrophoresis of the knee joint

The most common methods of physiotherapeutic treatment are ultrasound treatment, magnetic therapy and electrophoresis of the knee joint. Electrophoresis is a treatment method in which drugs act as positively charged particles and move with the participation of an electromagnetic field created between the electrodes. The passage of current promotes the penetration of the drug deep into the pathological area, creating a concentration of the drug there. This treatment method allows you to get an almost instant effect. The positive aspects of using electrophoresis are maintaining the integrity of the skin and obtaining an effect only at the point of impact.

Ultrasound therapy also has many positive characteristics. A feature of ultrasound is the improvement of trophism and activation of metabolism, while the joint becomes resistant to external influences. The goal of ultrasound therapy is to maintain the disease at this stage, preventing the progression of the disease.

Magnetic therapy, as a type of physiotherapy, is increasingly used in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joints, as it has many advantages and positive effects. These include a beneficial effect on the rheological properties of blood, improvement of vascular tone, lymph and blood, reparation is activated, etc. This type of physiotherapy can be applied locally and throughout the body.

Some physical therapy methods can be combined, while others should be done alternately. Physiotherapeutic treatment should be prescribed by a specialist.

The best specialists in Moscow work at the Yusupov Hospital. The Yusupov Hospital operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The hospital is equipped with all the necessary equipment to provide diagnostic and treatment services at the highest level. Sign up for a consultation by phone or online.

Advantages of the phonophoresis procedure in our clinic

• Professionalism . Our clinic employs experienced physiotherapists who graduated from leading medical institutions in the country.
• High quality equipment . We use modern devices “MILTA-F-8-01”, “UZT-MedTeCo” and others.
• Proven medicines . We use effective medications.
• Saving time . The procedure is carried out by appointment and takes no more than 20-30 minutes.
• Painless . The patient does not feel pain during sonophoresis.
• Harmlessness . The course of ultrasound therapy is safe and has no side effects.
• Individual approach . For each patient, our own treatment program is developed, taking into account individual characteristics and clinical picture.

Physiotherapy of the knee joint

Physiotherapy for the knee joint can provide positive results. Physiotherapy for arthritis of the knee joint is aimed at relieving pain, achieving long-term remission, etc.

Physiotherapy methods used for arthrosis of the knee joint:

• Irradiation with medium wave ultraviolet irradiation. Erythema appears at the site of exposure. The method allows you to reduce the sensitivity threshold in the irradiation zone, which affects the pain center in the brain. Sessions of mid-wave ultraviolet irradiation are carried out daily or every other day.
• Laser infrared therapy. This method allows you to reduce sensitivity, improve nutrition and blood flow, and reduce stress. Sessions are held daily.
• Low-intensity ultrahigh-frequency therapy, which makes it possible to reduce pain and prevent the process from spreading to nearby tissues. This method improves joint nutrition, regenerates tissue, and reduces swelling.
• High intensity centimeter wave therapy. The method allows you to establish blood supply and improve the nutrition of cartilage tissue.
• Ultrasound therapy. Reduces the inflammatory process, improves trophism, and shows an excellent regenerating effect.
• Magnetotherapy. Reduces swelling, activates the regenerative abilities of cartilage, and normalizes trophism.

A course of physical therapy for the convenience of the patient is most often carried out during a hospital stay.

Carrying out phonophoresis

Before starting the procedure, the physiotherapist will treat the problem area of ​​skin with an antiseptic. After this, the medicinal composition is applied to the skin. Aloe extract, interferon, hydrocortisone, lidase and other medications, including anesthetics, in the form of gels and ointments are used as active ingredients. Phonophoresis with hydrocortisone successfully helps in the treatment of joint diseases, interferon fights viral infections, and aloe is considered a good healing and anti-inflammatory agent.

The doctor then applies ultrasound to the treated area. The ultrasound machine has different operating modes, which allows you to change the power and frequency of vibrations during the procedure. Thanks to this, the physiotherapist is able to achieve the desired depth of penetration of medications.

Phonophoresis of joints is often combined with other cosmetic and medical procedures - paraffin therapy, electrophoresis, massage. One session lasts up to 30 minutes. A course of sonophoresis can consist of 8–12 procedures. After 6 months, the course of physiotherapy can be repeated.

Ultrasonic waves:

• increase the permeability of the skin;
• increase the sensitivity of nerve endings;
• stimulate metabolism;
• accelerate the passage of drugs to their destination and enhance their effect;
• activate the activity of leukocytes;
• massage the skin;
• relieve pain and inflammation;
• dilate blood vessels and relieve muscle spasms;
• improve blood circulation and change its acidity;
• stimulate restoration processes in tissues;
• promote the resorption of exudates;
• have a tonic effect.

Phonophoresis uses 2 operating modes: continuous and pulsed. In pulse mode, oscillatory movements are performed in short pulses (60 pulses per second). In this case, the thermal effect is weakly expressed. If a stronger effect of heat is required, a continuous mode of ultrasonic vibrations is used.

During the procedure, various medications are administered: hydrocortisone, prednisolone, aminophylline, heparin, pilocarpine, naphthalan, methionine, antibiotics, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, vasodilators and painkillers, medications that include bee and snake venom. For diseases of the musculoskeletal system, analgin and hydrocortisone are most often used. Medicines relieve pain and stop inflammatory processes. With osteochondrosis, the vessels supplying the spinal cord are pinched. The procedure improves blood circulation and restores muscle function.

Some drugs containing enzymes and novocaine cannot be combined with ultrasound exposure: ultrasound destroys their structure.

Contraindications to phonophoresis

The procedure is not recommended if the following factors are present:

• purulent inflammation of the skin;
• hypertension;
• oncological diseases;
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• ischemia;
• diabetes;
• diseases of the endocrine glands;
• hemophilia;
• pregnancy.

Physiotherapeutic equipment. Photo Gallery

Mechanism of action

The phonophoresis apparatus generates ultrasonic vibrations, which are directed into the tissues and promote greater permeability of cell membranes.
Due to this, the topically applied drug penetrates deeper into the tissue. This is also facilitated by the generation of thermal energy at the site of exposure and the improvement of microcirculation in general. Phonophoresis treatment has the following advantages:

• Method safety;
• A small list of contraindications;
• Fast delivery of the drug directly to the problem area, bypassing the systemic bloodstream;
• The ability to create a drug depot and prolong its effect;
• Painlessness, absence of unpleasant sensations;
• Affordable cost of the procedure with high efficiency.

Two innovative physiotherapy methods

1. Cryotherapy

Treatment of arthrosis and osteoarthritis with cold began to be practiced relatively recently. Cooled gas has a beneficial effect on inflamed tissues, relieves swelling, and blocks pain receptors. Due to cooling, muscle tone decreases, which allows you to get rid of muscle spasms and joint pain.

2. Homeosynia.

This innovative method involves the introduction of homeopathic remedies into biologically active points of the body through superficial injections. The specialist individually selects acupuncture points and homeopathic medicines for each patient, depending on the severity and location of arthrosis. The technique is actively used in the West, but has not yet become widespread in Russia.

Another popular physiotherapeutic method is shock wave therapy:

What diseases can be detected?

Ultrasound diagnostics of knees in adults is used to identify the following pathologies:

• arthritis - inflammation of the knee joint structures of a traumatic, infectious, reactive nature involving the capsule, cartilage and synovial membrane;
• synovitis - inflammation of the synovium with accumulation of effusion;
• tendinitis - inflammatory damage to tendon tissue due to prolonged increased load;
• complete or partial rupture of ligaments as a result of traumatic impact.

During the examination, it is possible to assess the extent and severity of damage, detect hematomas, loose bodies, tumors, signs of aseptic necrosis, osteophytes and cysts. Diagnostics makes it possible to determine specific methods of therapy, understand the need for intra-articular injections and therapeutic or diagnostic arthroscopic puncture.

Compared to arthroscopy, ultrasound of the knee joint is non-traumatic and absolutely safe for the patient’s health. This allows the method to be used an unlimited number of times, including as part of preoperative preparation and to evaluate the results of treatment procedures.

Consequences of the procedure

Some patients complain about some side effects in their reviews. For example, hydrocortisone can cause itching and swelling in the area that was directly affected. Some people begin to experience symptoms of hyperemia. There have also been cases of increased blood pressure.

If such a reaction is observed, then do not worry and completely refuse treatment. In most cases, it is possible to avoid unpleasant consequences if you adjust the dose of the drug (reduce it) or reduce the number of procedures. The doctor will help you create the correct treatment schedule based on the patient’s complaints.

How many sessions are scheduled?

Typically, for the treatment of joints, 10 to 15 sessions are prescribed, which last about 10 minutes. Sometimes a reduced number of treatments may be required. If necessary, up to 4 sessions per year are performed. Simultaneously with these procedures, dietary nutrition, therapeutic exercises, and drug therapy are prescribed.

On a note!

Phonophoresis with hyaluronic acid is not used for the treatment of joint diseases. This technique has found wide use in cosmetology.

Products mentioned in the article

Lotion for ultrasonic cleaning, ultrasonic peeling and disincrustation US-PEELING

Hardware anti-wrinkle gel with filling effect FILLER EFFECT

Biorevitalizant moisturizing gel with low molecular weight HYAL ULTRA HA

Hardware lifting gel with elastin (microcurrents, phonophoresis, iontophoresis, RF-lifting) LIFTING ULTRA

In figure correction procedures and anti-cellulite programs, the greatest interest is in substances that help dissolve fibrous formations and reduce swelling: lidase, heparin, hyaluronic acid.

How effective is ultrasound therapy?

It has long been known that certain doses of ultrasound can dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation; they can also have an anti-inflammatory, absorbable, antispastic and analgesic effect. By influencing connective tissue with ultrasound, it is possible to achieve regeneration and rejuvenation of body tissues: thus, ultrasound affects excess connective tissue by smoothing out the scar.

The thermal effect of ultrasound can also be noted, which provides its warming effect. In addition, exposure to ultrasound creates a micromassage effect at the cellular level, improves the absorption of all kinds of ointments and gels containing medications into the skin, increases the permeability of the cell membrane and accelerates cellular diffusion.

This therapy reduces the sensitivity of receptors

, which means it provides an analgesic effect.

Patients' opinions

If you look at reviews of ultrasound with hydrocortisone, most patients positively recall the effectiveness of the procedure. Many note that after the second session there is a clear improvement in their condition. The pain goes away, it becomes much easier to walk or move your arms.

Some patients undergo this treatment several times a year. Thanks to this, they can refuse to take medications orally and not remember the problem for quite a long time. Patients also note that complex treatment gives much better results. Therefore, it is worth consulting a doctor and clarifying the possibility of carrying out such procedures using ultrasound and medications. If the specialist has nothing against it and does not see any reasons or contraindications, then there is every chance to make his life easier.

Table of medicinal substances used in phonophoresis