In
laser-assisted arthroscopic knee surgery, clinical outcome and experimental results are quite different. After
laser treatment of local
chondromalacia, large cartilage lesions with less tendency towards repair were more often seen than after conventional arthroscopic treatment. Therefore,
laser treatment of
chondromalacia cannot be recommended. Compared with conventional
meniscectomy,
laser-assisted meniscal surgery has some advantages, but there is also some risk of inducing gonarthrosis. Some studies show a good
hemostatic effect of the
laser and the feasibility of precise tissue cutting. On the other hand,
laser treatment causes alteration of the tissue. The meniscal tissue becomes stiffer, which may promote the manifestation of gonarthrosis. Percutaneous
laser disc
decompression has been in successful clinical use since 1986 in the treatment of intervertebral disc
prolapses. Studies of multiple orthopedic departments worldwide show a success rate of 75%. To guarantee the success the indications must be observed. The use of
lasers in the arthroscopic treatment of
outlet impingement syndrome have some advantages, too. The outcome is better than that of other arthroscopic techniques and there are fewer complications because of the
hemostatic effect and the improved vision.
Laser-assisted capsular shrinkage combined with arthroscopic labrum reattachment allows conventional
laser use. Capsular shrinkage can be achieved with low-level
laser energy. If this treatment is not successful, other operative techniques can be performed without restrictions.