Open AccessEffect of iontophoretically delivered dexamethasone on muscle performance in a rheumatoid arthritic joint. A case study
Author(s) -
Hasson Scott M.,
English Susan E.,
Daniels Jerry C.,
Reich Miles
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1790010308
Subject(s) - medicine , dexamethasone , rheumatoid arthritis , lidocaine , corticosteroid , knee joint , anesthesia , arthritis , triamcinolone acetonide , surgery
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that has been used to decrease inflammation and pain in inflammed joints. The method of delivery has conventionally been through joint injection. The subject (female, age 36) in this investigation, has a 2‐year history of rheumatoid arthritis in the wrists, knees, ankles, and feet. The joints treated in this study were the knees, and a double‐blind procedure was utilized to determine the experimental (E) (dexamethasone and lidocaine) left; versus the control (C) (lidocaine only) right. Treatment consisted of iontophoresis onto the knee joint; and then repeated on the other knee joint, three times a week over an 8‐week period. Prior to the initial treatment session baseline data were collected for peak torque (knee extension [KE] at high omnikinetic resistance (PT); KE angular velocity at low resistance (AV); and total KE work at low resistance (20 repetitions). The subject was subsequently reassessed at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks. The results, (E vs. C, percentage change from baseline to 8 weeks): PT (20.8% vs. −6.7%); AV (22.3% vs. 13.4%); and TW (54.0% vs. 17.2%). The results indicate that delivery of dexamethasone via electrical current may be effective in improving muscle/joint performance in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.