Magnetotherapy

Role in rehabilitation after spinal injuries

Hardware physiotherapy, combining methods of electro- and magnetotherapy, is an integral part of the recovery of patients with injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine. This group of medical services includes, in particular, transcranial magnetic stimulation.

The most critical principle is the early initiation of rehabilitation measures: procedures are recommended to be started as early as the first 24 hours after surgical intervention. The scope of therapy is always determined individually by the specialists of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team (MDRT) in conjunction with the attending physician.

In pediatric patients, surgical treatment and subsequent physiotherapy have specific goals. These include minimizing the stabilization zone and reducing the extent of spondylodesis. This is necessary to preserve the mobility of the spinal motion segment (SMS) between the fixed segments and ensure the possibility of normal continuation of growth processes in the free segment.

As part of a comprehensive program, magnetotherapy is often combined with muscle electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and robotic mechanotherapy.

Application in osteoarthritis

In degenerative joint diseases (e.g., knee or hip), magnetotherapy is included in a wide range of non-pharmacological physiotherapeutic methods. It is prescribed alongside low-frequency pulsed currents, ultrasound, laser therapy, cryotherapy, and electrophoresis.

The main goals of physiotherapeutic intervention in osteoarthritis include:

• Reduction of pain severity.
• Relief of local edema and resolution of the inflammatory process.
• Improvement of capillary blood flow in the affected area.
• Relaxation of surrounding muscle structures.

Physiotherapy complements other general methods, such as the use of braces, walking aids, weight loss, and correction of movement patterns. Together, these measures slow down the progression of the disease. To enhance the effect, magnetotherapy can be combined with massage (strictly outside of exacerbation), manual therapy to eliminate contractures, and traction therapy on a Böhler splint.

Use in the treatment of erysipelas

In the treatment of recurrent erysipelas, physiotherapeutic methods are strictly differentiated depending on the stage of the disease. It is important to note that in the acute period, other physical factors are used — ultraviolet irradiation (UVI) to the inflammation focus and UHF therapy to the region of regional lymph nodes.

Magnetotherapy, however, is indicated exclusively in the reconvalescence period (recovery). At this stage, it helps cope with the residual manifestations of the infectious process. The intervention is prescribed when the following persist:

• Tissue infiltration.
• Pronounced edema.
• Lymphadenitis.

During the same period, magnetotherapy can be combined with electrophoresis of calcium chloride or lidase (which is especially important in the early stages of elephantiasis), applications of ozokerite or warmed naftalan ointment to the lower extremities, as well as radon baths.

Place in comprehensive sanatorium-resort treatment

The effectiveness of hardware physiotherapy increases significantly with the proper selection of patients for sanatorium-resort treatment. In this case, the stage of the disease, the presence of synovitis, the degree of functional impairment, and comorbid pathology are necessarily taken into account.

Magnetotherapy combines excellently with natural therapeutic factors:

1. Balneotherapy: the use of hydrogen sulfide, radon, sodium chloride, and iodine-bromine waters improves peripheral blood circulation and redox processes.
2. Peloidotherapy (mud therapy): applications of therapeutic mud relieve muscle spasm and improve local metabolic processes, leading to the restoration of joint function and pain reduction.

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• Electrical stimulation and other hardware electrotherapy methods
• Kinesiotherapy and robotic mechanotherapy for spinal injuries
• Low-level laser therapy in the treatment of local inflammatory syndrome
• Sanatorium-resort treatment: balneotherapy and peloidotherapy
• Traction therapy in hip and knee joint pathologies
• Bicillin prophylaxis and effects on streptococcal L-forms

Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.