Professional paper

The effect of iontophoresis on the wrist functional capacity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Tonko VLAK ; Odjel za fizikalnu medicinu, rehabilitaciju i reumatologiju, KB "Firule", Split
Marica BEDALOV ; Odjel za fizikalnu medicinu, rehabilitaciju i reumatologiju, KB "Firule", Split
Ivo JAJIĆ ; Klinika za fizikalnu medicinu, rehabilitaciju i reumatologiju, KB "Sestre milosrdnice", Zagreb

Abstract

Jntlammatory changes or joint are most frequently observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Among them, wrists are affected in about 80% of cases.
The authors have treated the wrists of 30 patients with rheumatoitd arthritis by applying diclofenac
(Voltaren) gele by means of iontophoresis, the wrist 's functional capacity and pain being observed concurrently.
lt has thus been noted that after l S iontophoretic treatments, the drug being introduced throught
the intact skin under the cathode, the dorsal flexion and adduction of the wrist have been considerably
increased.
No significant changes in the palmar flexion and the wrist abduction have been observed.
Nevertheless, the l S iontophorctic treatments have considerably relieved the pain both in the wrist
movement and during the palpation of the radia l and ul nar styloid of the atlected joint. To conclude, the
application of diclofenac by means iontophoresis on the affected wrist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
has shown double improvement: increasing the functional capacity of the wrist and reducing the pain in
the affected joint.

Keywords

lontophoresis (di clofenac); wrist; rheumatoid arthritis

Hrčak ID:

142152

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/142152

Publication date:

14.12.1994.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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