Evaluation of the efficacy of low level laser therapy and cryotherapy in the treatment of gonarthrosis

Background: Gonarthrosis is the most common form of osteoarthritis and it is included in the group of civilization diseases. Searching for the optimal treatment of this disease is still ongoing. Physical treatment methods play an important role. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of laser therapy and cryotherapy in the treatment of the symptoms of degenerative changes in the knee joint. Material and methods: The study involved 40 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee. The patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 20) were patients who used low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Group II (n = 20) were patients who used cryotherapy. Before and after surgery, all patients were examined in the following areas: assessment of pain using the VAS (Visual-Analogue Scale); Pain assessment questionnaire modified by Laitinen; Sit-up test; measurement of circumference of knee joints. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistica 12.5. Results: The study has demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the reduction of pain, a reduction in the swelling of knee joints and an improvement in the functionality of patients in both groups, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. Conclusions: Both low level laser therapy and cryotherapy proved to be effective treatments for the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. There were no statistically significant differences in the efficacy of low level laser therapy and cryotherapy.