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

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.