SPA THERAPY FOR GONARTHROSIS - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of spa therapy on clinical parameters of patients with gonarthrosis, Patients with go narthrosis (n = 33) underwent a 2-week spa therapy using three treatme nt regimes and a 20-week follow-up as follows: group I (n = 11) had mi neral water baths and hot native mineral mud packs, group II (n = 12) had mineral water baths and rinsed mineral-free mud packs and group II I (n = 10) had tap water baths and mineral-free mud packs. The patient s and the assessing rheumatologist were blinded to the difference in t he treatment protocols. A significant improvement in the index of seve rity of the knee (ISK), as well as night pain scores, was achieved in group I. Improvement in physical findings and a reduction in pain rati ngs on a visual analogue scale (VAS) did not reach statistical signifi cance. Analgesic consumption was significantly decreased in both group s I and III for up to 12 weeks. Global improvement assessed by patient s and physician was observed in all three groups up to 16 weeks but pe rsisted to the end of the follow-up period in group I only. Patients w ith gonarthrosis seemed to benefit from spa therapy under all three re gimes. However, for two parameters (night pain and ISK) the combinatio n of mineral water baths and mud packs (group I) appeared to be superi or.