Medicinski pregled 2022 Volume 75, Issue Suppl. 2, Pages: 53-56
https://doi.org/10.2298/MPNS22S2053N
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The efficacy of a modality of physical therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the spine - a case report of a patient treated with horizontal therapy
Nikolov Tatjana (Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Novi Sad)
Savić Aleksandra (Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Novi Sad + University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad), Aleksandra_Savic@mf.uns.ac.rs
Janković Tanja 
(Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Novi Sad + University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad)
Maksimović-Simović Marina (Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Novi Sad + University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad)
Bošković Ksenija (Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Novi Sad + University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad)
Introduction. Horizontal therapy is the only electrotherapy modality for the
treatment of osteoarthritis that has a simultaneous bioelectrical and
biochemical, effect on deep and superficial joint tissues. The objective of
this report was to provide evidence of efficacy of horizontal therapy in a
patient suffering from lumbar spine osteoarthritis. Case report. A
70-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital due to severe low
back pain with radiating pain in both legs followed by tingling in left leg.
The patient has had this painful condition since 2010. Physical examination
revealed a reduction of the range of motion of the lumbar spine followed by
spasm of the paraspinal musculature. Deep tendon reflexes of the lower limbs
were 2+ bilaterally, except right patellar reflex which was absent. She had
hypoesthesia in L4, L5 and S1 dermatome of the left leg and no motor
deficits were noted. Radiographic evaluation showed multilevel degenerative
changes of the lumbar spine. The patient was prescribed medication, physical
and exercise therapy. She underwent horizontal therapy for lumbar spine with
a frequency oscillating between 4357 and 12127 hertz. The patient had a
total of 15 treatments, 5 per week and each lasted 30 minutes. Conclusion.
In a patient with osteoarthritis of the spine, horizontal therapy has proved
to be an effective modality of physical therapy leading to pain relief and
functional improvement. Additional clinical research is needed for
confirming its effectiveness on a larger sample, to define optimal
parameters of the application and indication areas.
Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Spine, Physical Therapy Modalities, Osteoarthritis, Spine, Electric Stimulation Therapy, Low Back Pain, Treatment Outcome
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