ARP Wave Therapy vs. Physical TherapyAdolescent Anterior Knee Pain: ARP Wave Therapy vs. Physical Therapy

ARP Wave therapy utilizes direct current compounded with a high frequency double exponential background waveform that creates an electromyostimulation with characteristics that contrast with more conventional therapeutic neuromuscular electrical stimulation, including: interferential, microcurrent, galvanic, Russian stimulation, and iontophoresis. ARPWave therapy is a class II FDA medical device that has been approved for muscle re-education, relaxation of muscle spasms, increased neovascularization, prevention of disuse atrophy, and maintaining/increasing joint range of motion. The ARPWave Rx100 uses a main electrostimulation pulse of 40 to 500 cycles per second that is coupled with a background high-frequency carrier signal at 10,000 cycles per second. The polarity direction of electron flow is reversible within the unit and this is utilized as part of the therapy.

PT protocol for traumatic knee pain focuses on flexibility and development of hip core strength over a 6 week period, visiting the therapist twice per week and encouraged to maintain a home exercise program (HEP). They will all receive a handout with basic exercises to use at home to ensure that progress with their HEP is maximized (Appendix I). Basic stretches for the hamstring and quadriceps muscles will also be provided with line drawings. During this treatment period the patients will complete a daily diary of time spent on the HEP with attestation from their parents or guardians, in order to improve compliance.