Orin
Ankylosing Spondylitis is the most widely known chronic inflammatory spondylitis. In its treatment the antipharmacological methods dominate, above all the special treatment gymnastics, some physiotherapy methods and repeated balneotherapy. Some pharmacotherapy may be introduced as the supplement to the antipharmacological treatment to restrain the pain syndrome using some analgesics and antisteroidal rheumatics.
We have carried out the study to compare the efficacy of the standard rehabilitation programme based on regular group gymnastics commonly used in Ankylosing Spondylitis with the programme to which intensive individual therapy was added. Part of this individual therapy included magnetotherapeutical treatment.
We were applying both of these methods in 40 patients divided into two 20 patients groups during three months.
1. The standard treatment consisted of group gymnastics common in Ankylosing Spondylitis two times a week, it means 24 times within three months.
2. Intensive therapy consisted of the soft techniques application, mobilizing procedures and magnetotherapy once a week, it means 12 magnetotherapy applications within three months.
In magnetotherapy the device ULTICAR/MINIMAG with the back seat applicator was used. The pulsed magnetic field generated by the ULTICAR/MINIMAG device was applied for 20 minutes in the area of thoracic and lumbar spine.
The results were evaluated according to the usual metrological techniques and with the help of the BASDAI and BASFI questionnaires. It was proved that the intensive treatment method included the soft techniques, mobilizing procedures and the pulsed magnetic field application were more effective than the standard methods.The analgesic effect of magnetotherapy was also of very positive contribution to the whole treatment procedure.
As resulting from our study the individual intensive method combined with magnetotherapy in treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis can be fully recommended.
Conclusion : The devices ULTICAR and MINIMAG are suitable to be successfully introduced into the complex individual treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Author - Professor Karel Trnavsky, M.D., Doctor of Science; Arthrocentrum, Prague, 1997