title: Scientific basis of laser energy.
abstract: Lasers are intense beams of energy generated through the stimulation of radiation. Their clinical appeal in arthroscopic applications is based on their preferential absorption by water-containing tissues. Laser-tissue interaction includes reflection, scattering, transmission, and absorption. Clinical effects occur through tissue heating by absorption of laser energy. When power density is sufficient to achieve the ablation threshold, vaporization of tissue results with minimal collateral thermal damage. Further developments in the field of laser medicine may provide us with arthroscopic tools of even greater precision and safety.
authors.affiliation: Georgetown University, 3800 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20007, USA. Shaffer@dcsportsmedicine.com
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shaffer
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000639:trends