A COMBINED APPROACH OF KINESITHERAPY AND TECAR THERAPY IN KNEE REHABILITATION PROCESS
Keywords:
kinesitherapy, TECAR therapy, INDIBA® Activ, gonarthrosis, anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus, functional recoveryAbstract
Knee joint disorders represent a significant challenge in modern rehabilitation due to the complex anatomical structure and high functional demands of this joint during daily and sports activities. Injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), meniscal injuries, as well as degenerative changes associated with knee osteoarthritis, frequently result in pain, reduced range of motion, decreased muscle strength, and impaired functional capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combined approach using kinesitherapy and TECAR therapy with the INDIBA® Activ device in the rehabilitation of patients with various knee joint pathologies. Materials and Methods: The study included eight participants with different knee conditions, consisting of four patients with chronic gonarthrosis, two patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, and two patients undergoing postoperative rehabilitation after meniscal surgery. All participants underwent a two-week rehabilitation protocol consisting of six treatment sessions with INDIBA® Activ combined with individually adapted kinesitherapy exercises. The effects of the applied treatment were evaluated through assessment of pain intensity using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), measurement of knee joint range of motion (ROM), and evaluation of muscle strength using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT). Results: The obtained results demonstrated positive changes in all participants, with a reduction in the average VAS pain score from 7.63 before treatment to 3.25 after completion of the rehabilitation protocol. The average knee flexion range of motion increased from 82.5° to 108.75°, while muscle strength according to MMT improved from an average value of 3.63 to 5.00. The results indicate that the combined application of kinesitherapy and TECAR therapy with INDIBA® Activ may contribute to pain reduction, improvement of joint mobility, enhancement of muscle strength, and improvement of functional status in patients with various knee injuries and disorders. Conclusion: This multimodal approach represents a modern rehabilitation strategy that may be an important component of individualized rehabilitation protocols.
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