Phonophoresis with 1 percent versus 10 percent hydrocortisone.

Phonophoresis, using a topical hydrocortisone preparation, is a little-used method of delivering concentrated antiinflammatory medication to inflamed subcutaneous areas. A retrospective study of 285 patients treated for a variety of common inflammatory conditions compared the results of treatment using a 1 percent hydrocortisone solution preparation and a 10 percent hydrocortisone preparation. The results of the study demonstrated the efficacy of the treatment and the superiority of the 10 percent preparation. The method offers a painless alternative to percutaneous steroid injections in the treatment of selected inflammatory conditions.