Laser Treatment for Osteoarthritis- Dr. George B. Isaac MD

Laser therapy was acquainting with as a non-invasive treatment option for osteoarthritis nearly 30 years ago. Laser therapy, also identified as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a light source that generates pure light of a single wavelength.

The consequence produced by laser therapy is not thermal (heat) — as a substitute, it has to do with photochemical reactions in cells. Studies have produced inconsistent results regarding laser therapy for osteoarthritis.

Is There Any Suggestion That Laser Therapy Is Effective?

Dr.George B. Isaac MD through the photochemical reactions formed by laser therapy, arthritis symptoms are thought to expand. A study in the August 2000 Journal of Rheumatology equalled the outcomes of laser therapy used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis preserved with laser therapy had a 70% reduction in pain related to the placebo group. There was also a noteworthy improvement in morning stiffness and hand elasticity. However, there was no difference in joint purpose, range of motion, or joint swelling between the two groups (treatment group and placebo group).

For osteoarthritis patients, Dr.George B. Isaac MD there was no consequence on pain and inconsequential results for joint tenderness, joint mobility, and strength. Fundamentally, studies that were associated for osteoarthritis lacked steadiness with regard to wavelength, treatment duration, dosage and site of submission.

The Cochrane Review Withdrew Its Report on Laser Therapy

In a review of eight clinical trials allocating with laser therapy, five of the trials favoured laser therapy over placebo for at least one conclusion. Three other trials did not report assistances associated with laser therapy. Nevertheless, this certain Cochrane Review was withdrawn. The reasons for hauling the review include:

•        Several new studies are appealing positive results and Cochrane must review them.

•        Some errors were conveyed in the data.

The Bottom Line

If you're in view of laser therapy for osteoarthritis, Dr.George B. Isaac MD confer the potential benefits with your doctor. But, you should remember that while there has been some positive data associated with laser therapy — studies have been unreliable in both format and results.

Future studies are predictable to progress the level of consistency between studies. Going frontward, researchers are estimated to look for potential anti-inflammatory effects that might be correlated to laser therapy.