Background Knee osteoarthritis is a current problem that causes limitations in patients' activities of Daily living (1). There are many therapeutic options. Total knee arthroplasty is one of these treatment methods.Postoperative pain is one of the most commonly seen problems after this operation.The target of postoperative pain management is pain alleviation with minimum morbidity that is caused by analgesic modalities (2). Interferential current (IFC) therapy is a physical modality whose effects on postoperative pain, range of motion, edema and analgesic use has previously been shown (3).

Objectives In this double-blind randomized controlled study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interferential current (IFC) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery

Methods 98 patients who had TKA surgery were included into the study. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group 1: IFC (n=49) and group 2: sham IFC group (n=49). After all patients received the same rehabilitation programme and cold pack, the patients in group 1 administered IFC 30 minutes 2 times a day for 5 days. Same treatment instructions were given in sham group blindly. Patients were assessed at days 0, 5 and 30th after surgery with following parameters: VAS pain (cm), edema (cm), range of motion (ROM), Short Form 36 (SF 36) and paracetamol intake (gr)

Results All patients had significant improvements in all evaluation parameters (p<0,05) except the subscales of the physical role and mental health in the SF 36. In comparison of the groups, paracetamol intake was significantly lower in the IFC group at 5th day (p<0.05). There was no difference between groups for other evaluation parameters in all visits.

Conclusions Although all patients showed significant improvement in all parameters during the study, paracetamol intake was significantly lower in the IFC group. This finding supports that IFC can decrease pain -even postoperative pain-. However, it is still uncertain which frequency is most suitable, how many times and how much minutes we need to use IFC in these patients in order to improve pain significantly.

1. Guyton J. Arthroplasty of ankle and knee. In: Canale S, editor. Campbell's operative orthopaedics. St. Louis: Mosby; 1998.p.232–95.

2. Hedenstierna G, Lofstrom J. Effect of anaesthesia on respiratory function after major lower extremity surgery. A comparison between bupivacaine spinal analgesia with low-dose morphine and general anaesthesia. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 1985;29: 55–60.

3. Jarit GJ, Mohr KJ, Waller R, Glousman RE. The effects of home interferential therapy on postoperative pain, edema, and range of motion of the knee. Clin J Sport Med 2003;13: 16–20.

Disclosure of Interest None declared