Laser Therapy and Knee Osteoarthritis
Laser therapy is used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis), a degenerative condition that can be associated with pain, limited mobility and reduced function.
An observational study conducted at Sapienza University of Rome investigated the effects of laser therapy with qmd® helios on pain, symptoms and selected biomechanical gait parameters in patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade I–II knee osteoarthritis.
Results of the Observational Study
The study included 12 patients who underwent a total of 10 laser therapy sessions with qmd® helios, three times per week. The “anti-inflammatory effect” program was used with wavelengths of 808 nm, 1064 nm and 1120 nm.
Patients were evaluated before treatment and 22 days later using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, the KOOS and WOMAC questionnaires, and instrumental gait analysis.
Following the treatment cycle, statistically significant improvements were observed: the median VAS score decreased from 6 to 3, the KOOS score increased from 53 to 68, and the WOMAC score decreased from 23.5 to 15. Statistically significant changes were also observed in selected biomechanical gait parameters.
The authors conclude that, in this study, laser therapy reduced pain and improved symptoms and selected gait parameters. At the same time, they highlight the need for further studies with larger patient populations and longer follow-up periods.