Low level laser therapy versus intra-articular hyrulonic acid injection in treatment of osteoarthritis knee: A comparative study

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Osteoarthritis is a very common chronic degenerative disease that could impose significant costs to the health system. Although osteoarthritis can affect all joints, knee osteoarthritis is the most common type. Non-surgical treatments include corticosteroids injection, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, low level laser therapy & more. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of LLLT versus intra-articular hyaluronic acid for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: 100 patients allocated into two groups (LLLT Group A - 50 & IAHA Group B - 50), Group A received low level Laser therapy and Group B received intra-articular Hyaluronic acid therapy through superolateral approach. Outcomes were measured using VAS score and WOMAC scoring system. Results: Both groups showed improvement but there was a significant improvement in Group B IAHA with reduced VAS score and WOMAC score (40.87 ± 11.71) compared to Group A LLLT with WOMAC score (68.09 ± 8.27). Therefore, the reduction in symptoms was better in IAHA group compared to LLLT group. Conclusion: The results of this randomized comparative study showed that Intra-articular HA injection was more effective than LLLT in treatment of Osteoarthritis knee grade I and II. LLLT and HA are few non-surgical treatment modalities considered for knee joint osteoarthritis.