Therapeutic ultrasoundis used in physical therapy to treat pain and loss ofjoint functiondue toosteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in the joints breaks down over time. Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis causes joint pain and stiffness that can interfere with everyday activities.This article discusses how ultrasound therapy works and how it can help treat osteoarthritis in the hip and knee. It also looks at the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound on knee and hip pain.
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What Is Therapeutic Ultrasound?
Therapeutic ultrasound is a passive therapy used in physical therapy clinics to treat osteoarthritis. The ultrasound machine contains a crystal that produces ultrasonic waves upon receiving an electrical charge.
Ultrasound vibrations can be delivered as pulses or continuous waves. Continuous ultrasound vibrations generate noticeable heat, while pulsed ultrasound vibrations do not. It’s thought that both thermal and non-thermal effects are responsible for any effects these treatments may have.
Therapeutic ultrasound is different than diagnostic ultrasound. Diagnostic ultrasound is used to create images of internal structures and is used to diagnose an injury or disease or manage pregnancy. Therapeutic ultrasound does not take images. It has been used as a treatment since 1950.
How Therapeutic Ultrasound Works for Arthritis
Ultrasound works to treat osteoarthritis and other soft tissue damage using either thermal or non-thermal effects.
Ultrasound waves are able to penetrate deep tissue reaching internal structures that other external heat sources (like a heating pad) can’t touch. To be effective, therapeutic ultrasound needs to heat the tissue between 104°F to 113°F for at least 5 minutes.
Effectiveness for Knee and Hip Arthritis
Studies evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound on osteoarthritis have been mixed; some studies found no benefit, and others found some benefits.
A 2019 review of 15 studies with 1,074 patients found therapeutic ultrasound is a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritis in the knee. The studies show it helps to relieve pain and improve the physical function of the knee.
A 2021 meta-analysis of 14 studies including 1,080 people with knee osteoarthritis found both pulsed and continuous ultrasound are effective and safe for pain relief and functional recovery.
Another study found that low-energy pulsed ultrasound provided about four weeks of pain reduction and improved functioning and quality of life.
Side Effects of Therapeutic Ultrasound
The healthcare provider will slowly move the ultrasound wand in a circular motion over the area during the treatment. If the transducer is left in one place for too long, it can cause a superficial skin burn, similar to a sunburn.
A Word From Verywell
Therapeutic ultrasound is a non-invasive treatment that may be effective in treating osteoarthritis in the knee and hip. The therapy appears to be very safe, has few adverse effects, and is relatively inexpensive. There is awide range of osteoarthritis treatments available. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if ultrasound therapy for osteoarthritis is right for you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, the sound waves used in ultrasound therapy only create tiny vibrations. You won’t feel them or hear the frequencies, but you may feel warmth.Yes, research shows that therapeutic ultrasound reduces tissue inflammation in people with osteoarthritis in the hip or knee. One study found that it mitigates inflammation and facilitates tissue repair.Therapeutic ultrasound should not be used in people with cancer, children, or pregnant people. It also cannot be used on certain areas in those with decreased sensitivity or total joint replacements.Learn MoreIs Therapeutic Ultrasound Safe For My Condition?
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the sound waves used in ultrasound therapy only create tiny vibrations. You won’t feel them or hear the frequencies, but you may feel warmth.
Yes, research shows that therapeutic ultrasound reduces tissue inflammation in people with osteoarthritis in the hip or knee. One study found that it mitigates inflammation and facilitates tissue repair.
Therapeutic ultrasound should not be used in people with cancer, children, or pregnant people. It also cannot be used on certain areas in those with decreased sensitivity or total joint replacements.Learn MoreIs Therapeutic Ultrasound Safe For My Condition?
Therapeutic ultrasound should not be used in people with cancer, children, or pregnant people. It also cannot be used on certain areas in those with decreased sensitivity or total joint replacements.
Learn MoreIs Therapeutic Ultrasound Safe For My Condition?
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Draper DO, Klyve D, Ortiz R, Best TM.Effect of low-intensity long-duration ultrasound on the symptomatic relief of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study.J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):257. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0965-0
Miller DL, Smith NB, Bailey MR, et al.Overview of therapeutic ultrasound applications and safety considerations.J Ultrasound Med. 2012;31(4):623–634. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.623
Wu Y, Zhu S, Lv Z, et al.Effects of therapeutic ultrasound for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Rehabil.2019;33(12):1863–75. doi:10.1177/0269215519866494
Liu Y, Wang Y, Wang Y, Jia X.A meta-analysis of analgesic effect of ultrasound therapy for patients with knee osteoarthritis.J Ultrasound Med. 2021. doi:10.1002/jum.15866
Jia L, Wang Y, Chen J, Chen W.Efficacy of focused low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy for the management of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial.Scientific Reports. 2016;6:35453. doi:10.1038/srep35453
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