Review Question - QID 1092

Iontophoresis is the use of direct current to drive ions into deep tissues using differences in electrical potential. It is used to deliver medication to deep tissues, such as lidocaine, dexamethasone, acetic acid, and NSAIDs. It is often used by physical therapists for tendonitis conditions. Although studies have been conflicting regarding the actual delivery of the medication to deep tissues, subjectively patients report decreased soreness and pain levels. The Andres reference is a systematic review of available treatments for tendinopathy.

The Bertolucci paper compared injection versus iontophoresis for administration of corticosteroids to patients with primary tendonitis of the shoulder. The authors noted that patients below the age of 45 years with shoulder tendonitis responded with significant pain relief to iontophoresis via steroid administration. However, the authors noted that patients over the age of 45 had significantly less pain relief in shoulder tendonitis whether the steroids were administered by local injection or by iontophoresis compared to those patients over the age of 45.