Portable device eases osteoarthritis pain

8th March 2010 - Researchers are hailing a portable device that emits electromagnetic pulses as a useful tool for patients experiencing pain as a result of osteoarthritis of the knee.

An estimated eight-and-a-half million people in the UK have osteoarthritis, and the knee is one of the principle joints affected. The condition is a leading cause of disability, partly because both knees are usually affected.

Osteoarthritis is a slow, progressively degenerative disease in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away due to trauma, ageing or infection. It cannot be ‘cured’, but patients may be able to manage the condition in partnership with a GP, who can also prescribe painkillers.

“Significant” reduction in pain: Researchers

Researchers in the United States say they may have found an alternative to anti-inflammatory medication or pain relievers in the treatment of the condition. They report that their battery-powered device, which gives out electromagnetic pulses, “significantly” decreases pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.

The trial involved patients attending an orthopaedics clinic at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. All those involved were given a ring-shaped plastic device and told to wrap it around their knee for 15 minutes, twice daily for six weeks. Some of the patients were given a device that worked and some a ‘fake’ device.

The 34 who were treated with the working device “experienced more than 40 percent pain relief on their first day”.

Lead researcher Dr Fred Nelson says that electromagnetic signals have been shown in the laboratory to cut the amount of calcium in cartilage cells and help reduce inflammation. "We are really fine-tuning what we are doing to the cell environment with a very specific pulse sequence and frequency," he says in a statement.

“No side effects”

The researchers believe that using low-intensity pulsating electromagnetic frequency is a viable alternative to traditional medication which can produce various side effects.

"The exciting thing about this new approach is that it has been found to have no side effects, it is relatively low-cost in the long-run and the onset of pain relief is immediate," says Dr Nelson. "We look at electromagnetic pulses as a potential way to improve quality of life and independence for those who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee."

More trials

The researchers plan further trials to test how effective the pain relief is and how long it lasts. They also want to see whether electromagnetic pulses can ease pain in other joints.

Funding for the trial was provided by Ivivi Health Sciences which makes the device.

Rob Dawson, spokesman for the National Osteoporosis Society points out to us in an email that this kind of therapy is not an established form of pain management. “There is much debate over its effectiveness and this latest study assessed a very small number of individuals. Further trials are needed on much larger scales with measurements on how long the relief is likely to last,” he says.

Dr Nelson is due to present his findings this week at the Orthopaedic Research Society's annual meeting in New Orleans.