Reference

The influence of irradiation with low-level diode laser on the proteoglycan content in arthrotically changed cartilage in rabbits

Tonio Gottlieba, Björn Jörgensenb, Ewa Rohdec, Gerhard Müllerc, Eike Eric Schellera,_

a. Ev. Krankenhaus Hubertus, Spanische Allee 10-14, 14129 Berlin, Germany

b. Endozentrum Martin Luther Krankenhaus, Caspar-Theyß-Str. 27-31, 14193,
Berlin, Germany cInstitut fu¨r Medizinische Physik und Lasermedizin,
Charite´ Campus Benjamin Franklin, Fabeckstr. 60-62, 14195, Berlin, Germany

Received 24 November 2005; accepted 16 December 2005

Abstract
The course of arthrosis was investigated on an animal-experimental arthrosis model considering macroscopic aspects, and the proteoglycan and the glycosaminoglycan contents. Based on these parameters, the influence of a low power diode laser of 692.6nm wavelength on the progress of arthrosis was investigated. Thirty days following joint instability surgery another operation was made during which the femoral condyles were irradiated using different energy densities. Seven days after the second operation, macroscopic findings were made and the proteoglycan content was established based on the quantitative determination according to Taylor and Jeffre. This method is based on various spectrophotometric absorption behaviours of different concentrations of sulphatized glycosaminoglycans in the presence of dimethylmethylene blue.

Macroscopically, a progressively increasing severity of cartilage changes during the course of arthrosis was detected and the proteoglycan content was found to decrease. The changes in the irradiated joints proved to be less severe, with the higher energy density having a greater positive influence of statistical significance.

r 2006 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Keywords: Cartilage; Laser; Proteoglycans; Spectrophotometry

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The Clinical Efficacy Of Low-Power Laser Therapy On Pain And Function In Cervical
Osteoarthritis.
Clinical Rheumatology. 2001; 20(3): 181-184.
Oezdemir F, Birtane M, Kokino S

Pain is a major symptom in cervical osteoarthritis (COA). Low-power laser (LPL) therapy has been claimed to reduce pain in musculoskeletal pathologies, but there have been concerns about this point. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of LPL therapy and related functional changes in COA. Sixty patients between 20 and 65 years of age with clinically and radiologically diagnosed COA were included in the study. They were randomised into two equal groups according to the therapies applied, either with LPL or placebo laser. Patients in each group were investigated blindly in terms of pain and pain-related physical findings, such as increased paravertebral muscle spasm, loss of lordosis and range of neck motion restriction before and after therapy.

Functional improvements were also evaluated. Pain, paravertebral muscle spasm, lordosis angle, the range of neck motion and function were observed to improve significantly in the LPL group, but no improvement was found in the placebo group. LPL seems to be successful in relieving pain and improving function in osteoarthritic diseases.

The Effect Of Low Power Laser Therapy On Osteoarthritis Of The Knee
Basirnia A., Sadeghipoor G., Esmaeeli Djavid G. et al.

Treatment was performed on 20 patients, aging from 42 to 60 years. All patients had
received conservative treatment with poor results. Laser device used for this treatment was pulsed IR diode laser; 810 nm wavelength once per day for 5 consecutive days, followed by a 2-day interval .The total number of applications was 12 sessions.
Irradiation was performed on 5 periarticular tender points, each for 2 min. The treatment outcome (pain relief and functional ability) was observed and measured according to the following methods: 1) Numerical rating scales (NRS), 2) Self assessment by the patient, 3) Index of severity for osteoarthritis of the knee (ISK), 4) Analgesic requirements. We achieved significant improvement in pain relief and quality of life in 70% of patients, comparing to their previous status (p<0.05). There was no significant change in range of motion of the knee.

Improvement Of Pain And Disability In Elderly Patients With Degenerative Osteoarthritis Of The Knee Treated With Narrow-Band Light Therapy
Stelian J, Gil I, Habot B et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1992; 40: 23-26.

In an Israeli study the effect of laser therapy in degenerative osteoarthritis (DOA) of the knee was investigated in a double blind study among 50 patients. One group received infrared (GaAlAs) and one red (HeNe) laser. Only the first group could be blinded, while the latter was open. Patients were treated twice daily, 15 minutes each time, for 10 days.
The patients treated themselves after instruction. Total dose for each session was 10.3 J for red and 11.1 for infrared. Continuous mode was used for 7.5 minutes, pulsed for 7.5 minutes, rationale not stated. There was a significant pain reduction in the laser groups as compared to the placebo groups. There was no significant difference between the red and the infrared group. The Disability Index Questionnaire also revealed an improvement in the laser groups. All patients in the placebo group required analgesics within two months after laser therapy while the patients in the laser group were pain free ranging from 2
months to 1 year.