Does addition of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in conservative care of knee arthritis successfully postpone the need for joint replacement?. Issue 9 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ip, David
• Is Part Of: Lasers in medical science. Volume 30:Issue 9(2015)
• Page Start: 2335
• Page End: 2339
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Knee pain -- Osteoarthritis -- Outcome -- Laser therapy; Lasers in medicine -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-015-1814-6
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-8921

Abstract

Abstract The current study evaluates whether the addition of low-level laser therapy into standard conventional physical therapy in elderly with bilateral symptomatic tri-compartmental knee arthritis can successfully postpone the need for joint replacement surgery. A prospective randomized cohort study of 100 consecutive unselected elderly patients with bilateral symptomatic knee arthritis with each knee randomized to receive either treatment protocol A consisting of conventional physical therapy or protocol B which is the same as protocol A with added low-level laser therapy. The mean follow-up was 6 years. Treatment failure was defined as breakthrough pain which necessitated joint replacement surgery. After a follow-up of 6 years, patients clearly benefited from treatment with protocol B as only one knee needed joint replacement surgery, while nine patients treated with protocol A needed surgery (p < 0.05). We conclude low-level laser therapy should be incorporated into standard conservative treatment protocol for symptomatic knee arthritis.