The effect of low-level laser therapy on knee osteoarthritis: prospective, descriptive study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint disorders in the elderly which could be associated with considerable physical disability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a descriptive, prospective study, 33 patients enrolled in the study from which 15 people were excluded due to incomplete course of treatment, leaving the total number of 18 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Gal-Al-As diode laser device was used as a source of low-power laser. Patients were performed laser therapy with a probe of LO7 with a wavelength of 810 nm and 50 mW output power in pulse radiation mode (F = 3,000, peak power = 80 W, Δt = 200 ns, density = 0.05 W/cm(2), dose = 6 J/cm(2), area = 1 cm(2)) and also a probe of MLO1K with a power output of 30 mW and a wavelength of 890 nm in pulse radiation mode (F = 3,000 Hz, peak power = 50 W, Δt = 200 ns, density = 0.017 W/cm(2), total dose = 10 J/cm(2)), and were given low-level laser therapy (LLLT) three times a week with a total number of 12 sessions. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 15, and the obtained data were reported as mean ± SD and frequency (%). To analyze the data, repeated measurement and marginal homogeneity approaches were used. RESULTS: In the current study, a significant reduction was observed regarding the nocturnal pain, pain on walking and ascending the steps, knee circumference, distance between the hip and heel, and knee to horizontal hip to heel distance at the end of the treatment course. CONCLUSIONS: In brief, the current study focuses on the fact that LLLT is effective in reducing pain in knee osteoarthritis.