Osteoarthritis

LightForce® laser therapy is indicated to provide topical heating to elevate tissue temperature for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, minor arthritis pain, or muscle spasm; to temporarily increase local blood circulation; and to temporarily relax muscle.

In OA rehabilitation workflows, clinicians may use laser therapy as an adjunct to help relieve pain and stiffness that could otherwise limit tolerance for therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, or functional retraining. Laser therapy may be incorporated early in a session or around activity progression to support patient comfort and participation in the therapy program.

The Intelect® RPW 2 and Intelect® Mobile 2 RPW systems are intended to help reduce muscle pain and aches, temporarily increase blood flow, and activate connective tissue.

For patients with OA, clinicians may consider radial pressure wave therapy as an adjunct when periarticular muscle pain, soft-tissue restrictions, or regional tolerance affects movement quality or exercise participation. Radial pressure wave therapy may be integrated into conservative workflows to support pain relief and functional improvement, with parameters and treatment timing determined by the supervising clinician.

Electrotherapy may be integrated into OA rehabilitation based on clinical goals and patient needs. Depending on configuration and waveform, electrotherapy indications include muscle spasm relaxation, prevention or retardation of disuse atrophy, increased local blood circulation, muscle re-education, maintenance or increase of range of motion, and symptomatic relief and management of chronic, intractable pain or post-traumatic or post-surgical acute pain.

In OA care, clinicians may use electrotherapy as an adjunct to support neuromuscular activation, manage pain symptoms, or assist with muscle re-education when joint-related symptoms limit voluntary movement or exercise tolerance.

Therapeutic ultrasound is indicated for the application of deep heat to selected sub-chronic and chronic medical conditions, including relief of pain, muscle spasms, and joint contractures.

In OA rehabilitation workflows, clinicians may integrate ultrasound when deep heating is selected to support symptom management or tissue extensibility as part of a broader conservative care plan.

Hot and cold therapy products support conservative OA workflows by providing superficial heat or cold therapy for body surfaces, used adjunctively based on clinician preference and patient response.

• Moist heat may be selected to support relaxation and symptom management prior to movement or manual techniques.
• Cold therapy may be used to address post-activity discomfort or symptom flare-ups.

Products such as HotPacs®, ColPacs®, Hydrocollators®, and Theratherm® should be integrated and utilized at the clinician’s discretion to support patient comfort and participation during rehabilitation visits.