title: Does addition of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in conservative care of knee arthritis successfully postpone the need for joint replacement?
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.
authors.affiliation: Asia Medical Pain Centre, Whole of 4th Floor, Grand Plaza, Mong Kok, Hong Kong. ipdavid@hotmail.com.hk.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ip
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Knee pain; Laser therapy; Osteoarthritis; Outcome