Gradual onset of knee pain, swelling, and stiffness are typical symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Hundreds of clinical trials have proven laser therapy is effective at decreasing pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. At Boulder Sports Chiropractic, we offer the strongest, most powerful laser therapy on the market - Class IV Laser Therapy.
What is osteoarthritis?
There are many causes of knee pain, but for patients over the age of 45 it is often because of joint inflammation, better known as arthritis. According to the CDC (center for disease control) half of all Americans over the age of 50 will experience symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, and is quickly becoming the leading cause of disability in individuals over the age of 50.
Knee osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by a degeneration of the articular cartilage that covers the ends of the bones forming the knee, the femur and the tibia. When the cartilage begins to wear away over time, the ends of the bones begin to generate pain. The body will then begin to deposit more bone on the end of each of the bones in an attempt to cover the ends of the bones. These bony deposits are called bone spurs. Bone spurs increase friction in the knee and create abnormal movement.
When the degenerative changes occur, the body develops increased stress on the muscles, tendons, and joints surrounding the knee. Typically, the surrounding muscles and ligaments tend to overwork or compensate for new movement and pain felt in the knee. If the compensations are not addressed, the pain begins to spread to the hip, lower back, or ankle as new stress is placed on the joint.
Symptoms:
Typical symptoms consist of pain with knee flexion or bending, stiffness that is worse after periods of inactivity, swelling that is increased with activity.
How do we treat it?
Numerous studies have confirmed clinically proven results for osteoarthritis with laser therapy. At Boulder Sports Chiropractic, we have the most powerful laser therapy on the market (class 4) that can help decrease pain and swelling in the knee caused by osteoarthritis.
The laser shoots light energy into the body in a process called photobiomodulation. The cells of the body absorb the energy and it helps the body more efficiently perform normal cellular reactions. This leads to decreased inflammation and increased blood flow to the treatment area.
When paired with other therapies such as Chiropractic, Active Release Technique (ART), Graston technique, or Trigger Point Dry Needling and corrective exercises - the results are greatly improved.
Laser treatment feels like a soothing warmth. Each session typically lasts about 5-10 minutes for the laser to deliver the appropriate light energy. At your visit, we will evaluate the knee and surrounding structures and create a plan to resolve your pain as quickly as possible.
References:
1. Efficacy of low level laser therapy associated with exercises in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind study
Author: Alfredo PP, Bjordal JM, Dreyer SH, Rúbia S, Meneses F, Zaguetti G, Ovanessian V, Fukuda TY, Steagall Junior W, Martins RABL, Casarotto RA, Marques AP
In this study, 40 patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into two groups - laser therapy and placebo. After 11 weeks the patients were re-examined. The patients in the laser therapy group showed less pain, increased range of motion, increased function, and increased muscular strength compared to the placebo group.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22169831
2. Does addition of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in conservative care of knee arthritis successfully postpone the need for joint replacement?
Author: Ip D
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of low-level laser therapy into standard conventional physical therapy in elderly with bilateral symptomatic tricompartmental knee arthritis can successfully postpone the need for joint replacement surgery. 100 participants were divided into two groups. Three sessions of treatment per week for 12 consecutive weeks. After 6 year follow up, only one knee replacement was required for patients with the addition of LLLT, whereas for those that received the standard conservative treatment, nine required knee replacement.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26420240
3. The effect of low-level laser in knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Author: Hegedűs B, Viharos L, Gervain M, Gálfi M
This study examined pain-relieving effect of laser therapy and possible microcirculatory changes measured by thermography in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Treatments were delivered twice a week over a period of 4 weeks. Results show that laser therapy reduces pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis and improves microcirculation in the treatment area.