Effect of High-Intensity Laser Treatments on Chronic Pain Related to Osteoarthritis in Former Professional Athletes: A Case Series

Abstract

Background: We evaluated the use of a new higher intensity 42 Watt cold laser for treating chronic pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) in former NFL football players. Methods: 39 consenting former NFL football players with OA underwent 1-3 treatment sessions lasting 10-20 min with a 42 Watt FDA-approved high-intensity cold laser (Phoenix thera-lase, Dallas, TX) at a wavelength of 1275 nm. We recorded their pain verbal rating scale (VRS) score at rest and with activity before and after each treatment using an 11-point VRS with 0=no pain to 10=worst pain imaginable. In addition, we assessed the duration of the painrelieving effect produced by each laser treatment, as well as its effects on other OA-related symptoms. Results: The chronic pain scores were significantly reduced both at rest and with activity after each treatment. Baseline VRS pain scores were 3.5 ± 2.9 at rest and 6.0 ± 2.6 with activity. After the initial treatment, the pain scores were reduced to 1.2 ± 1.8 (p<0.01) at rest and to 2.0 ± 2.0 (p<0.01) with activity. The overall beneficial effect was 7.2 ± 1.8 on a scale from 0=no relief to 10=complete relief, and the duration of the beneficial effect lasted 1-3 weeks in 64% of the players treated. Finally, 90% of the players would recommend the laser treatment to their colleagues. Conclusion: High-intensity cold laser treatments reduced chronic OA-related pain in former NFL football players by ~67% at rest and with activity and the beneficial effect typically persisted for 1 week or longer after 1-3 treatments in the majority of these chronic pain patients.