Effect of low-level infrared laser therapy on large surgical osteochondral defect in rabbit: a histological study.
OBJECTIVE
The present study investigates whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can accelerate healing of large osteochondral defects in rabbits.


BACKGROUND
LLLT has been used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and fractures.


METHODS
Seventy rabbits were divided into control and experimental groups. Under sterile conditions and after general anesthesia, the rabbits received one full-thickness defect 5 mm wide by 10 mm deep in the distal portion of the patellar groove of the right femur. The rabbits in the experimental group were exposed to a pulsed 890-nm infrared laser (1500 Hz, 4.8 J/cm(2) energy density, spot size 1 cm) twice weekly. The rabbits were killed at 2 wk, 1 mo, 2 mo, and 4 mo post-surgery. The defects were evaluated macroscopically and histologically for the filling of the defect, integration of repair tissue, matrix staining, and cellular morphology. The Student's t-test was performed to determine the differences between the control and experimental groups. Statistical significance was set at p +/- 0.05.


RESULTS
Results in the experimental group were better than those in the control group; however, there were no significant differences between the two study groups.


CONCLUSIONS
LLLT did not accelerate healing of large osteochondral defects in rabbits.
Bayat
Mohammad
M
Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, and Anatomy Department, Medical Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. bayat _m@yahoo.com
Kamali
Fahimeh
F
Dadpay
Masoomeh
M
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D007259:Infrared Rays; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*