Saudi Journal of Medicine (SJM)
Volume-5 | Issue-06 | 257-261
Original Research Article
Osteoarthritis Knee & Low Level Laser Therapy-Evidence from Northeast India
Dr. Sharat Agarwal
Published : June 16, 2020
Abstract
Although joint pain can be controlled with various modalities which includes the use of acetaminophen, NSAIDs and corticosteroid injections. It has been found that LLLT is an effective non invasive therapy to control inflammation and tissue degeneration and thus to relieve pain with subsequent quality of life improvement in various inflammatory & painful joint problems. Material & Methods: A retrospective analysis was done from the data on osteoarthritis knee patients (n=30) with chronic knee pain, treated with low level laser therapy applied at the knee joint line area over medial & lateral tibiofemoral condyles region. The various parameters like NRS; daily activities, work & leisure, anxiety & depression, social interaction (4 components of DALLAS pain questionnaire as found relevant for these patients to assess quality of life) were studied and analysed using appropriate statistical tools. Results: The majority patients were female (n=17) as against males (n=13). The paired t test revealed that there was significant difference in NRS score before and after laser therapy. The paired t test revealed that there was significant difference with positive improvement in daily activities, work & leisure, Anxiety & depression and social interaction scores before and after laser therapy. Conclusion: LLLT like Helium Neon (He-Le) laser has the potential to be used with efficacy in patients of chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis irrespective of age and sex, especially in Kellgren lawrence OA grade 1, 2 & 3.