Effect of sodium salicylate iontophoresis in the management of hip pain in patients with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND

Iotophoresis is a means of delivering drugs across the skin for the management of a variety of conditions, most often for localized inflammation and pain. It is becoming popular as an alternative to oral and injection delivery system because it is non-invasive, non-traumatic, and painless and also because of its specific delivery system.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of sodium salicylate iontophoresis in the management of hip pain in patient with sickle cell disorders (SCD).

METHOD

The participants for this study were 20 patients with SCD, their ages ranged from 15-30 years. They were randomly assigned into two groups of 10 (study and control groups. All the participants were given conventional physiotherapy and their regular medications. In addition sodium salicylate iontophoresis was giving to the affected hip of the participants in the study group using a galvanic current machine. Pain intensity and range of motion at the hip joint were assessed at the beginning and after 10 treatment sessions. Data were analyzed using Mann Whitney U test and paired t-test for the visual analogue scale and goniometric values respectively.

RESULT

The results showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity only in the participants in the study group (p<0.05), there was also a statistically significant improvement in the hip range of motion of the participants in the study group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that sodium salicylate iontophoresis was effective in the management of hip pain in patients with SCD. It is therefore recommended for routine use for patients with SCD on admission with severe pain.