A comparison of pain and disability scores in different grades of knee OA before and after low level laser therapy (LLLT)

Abstract

Osteoarthritis of knee (KOA) is the most common cause of morbidity in the elderly. As the knee joint is involved in weight- bearing, aging causes wear and tear of cartilages in the knee joint resulting in degenerative changes. Kellgren-Lawrence grading of knee OA are described according to the findings noted on the X-ray of Knee Joint. Low-level laser therapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis. The assessment of pain and disability in subjects with grade II and grade III KOA before and after the low-level laser therapy was done using the questionnaires. Forty-five Subjects who are symptomatic and who had radiological criteria based on Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade II and III were included in the study. Visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne index of pain and disability was used before and after low level laser therapy in the subjects of the study. There was no statistical difference between the grade II and grade III KOA for VAS, WOMAC scores. However, there was statistically significant difference in Lequesne index scores between the grade III KOA participants (p = 0.027) not for grade II KOA. Lequesne index had a smaller number of question when compared to WOMAC and more specific questions when compared to VAS. The questionnaire is specific to assessment of progression of functional status of the individual in grade III knee OA.