Abstract

Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Photobiomodulation on pain and immediate swelling after knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods. 40 patients with knee arthroplasty participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 50-70 years. They were assigned randomly into two equal groups; control and study groups. Control group received intensive functional rehabilitation program only. Study group received a laser dose of 6 J/cm2 at the surgical incision, medial and lateral femoral condyle, patellar up and down, and popliteal space with 650 nm continuous wave, 60 seconds/point with total dose of 48J each session and intensive functional rehabilitation program. All patients received 12 treatment sessions in six weeks. The pain was measured by pressure algometer and level of knee swelling was measured by tape measurement. Results. Both groups showed significant difference in all variables between pre and post treatment (P < 0.05). Regarding between groups pretreatment statistics, no significant difference was found in level of knee swelling (P > 0.05) and significant difference in level of pain intensity (P < 0.05). While post treatment statistics showed significant difference in pain and knee swelling (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Photobiomodulation is effective in improving pain and knee swelling after knee arthroplasty. Also, it can be concluded that adding photobiomodulation to rehabilitation program after knee arthroplasty gives more improvement in level of pain and knee swelling.

Key words:

photobiomodulation, pain, swelling, knee arthroplasty