TO: AllGeneralManagers,Exe.RegionalS&MDirectors,AllBrandDirectorsMedical, ProductManagers,Exe.S&MDirectors,Marketingpersonnel
CC: Ms.Zepter,Mr.Jankovic
SUBJECT: ResearchArticleSummary:Low-LevelLaserandLightTherapyAfterTotal Knee ArthroplastyImprovesPostoperativePainandFunctionalOutcomes:AThree-ArmRandomized ClinicalTrial
Dearcolleagues,
Below you will find a summary of a new research paper that was recently published demonstratingthebeneficialeffectsofBIOPTRONlighttherapyinpatientsthatunderwenttotal kneearthroplasty(totalkneereplacement)surgery.
TheoutcomeofthisclinicaltrialprovesoncemorethatBIOPTRONlighttherapyisveryhelpful forpatientsrecoveringfromkneesurgeryasitreducespainandhencetheuseofpainkillersand anti-inflammatorydrugsthatcancausemanysevereadverseeffects.Inaddition,BIOPTRONalso improves functional recovery (less swelling, improved knee movement) compared to patients thatdidnotreceiveBIOPTRONlighttreatment.
BIOPTRON light therapy could therefore be recommended as a standard post-operative rehabilitationprocedureforpatientsrecoveringfromkneesurgery.
Enjoyreading.
PleasedonothesitatetocontactmeifyouhaveanyquestionsorifIcanprovideyou withmore information.
Kindregards,
Dr. Bart De Wever, Ph.D. MedicalAdvisor Bioptron AGSihleggstrasse
23 CH-8832 Wollerau E.mail: dewever@bioptron.com www.zepter.com • www.bioptron.com
Research question: What are the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and BIOPTRON light therapy on pain and function following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA)?
Objectives:
To compare the efficacy of LLLT and BIOPTRON light therapy as physical modalities in the rehabilitationprotocolofpatientsundergoingTKA,intermsofpostoperativepainreduction,pain killerconsumptionreduction,andimprovementoffunctionwithoutanycomplications.
Methods:
A single-center, single surgeon, prospective randomized clinical trial was performed with 3 groupsof15patients:group1receivedLLLT,group2wastreatedwithBIOPTRONlightandgroup 3servedascontrol(nolighttreatment).
Group2receivedBIOPTRONlighttherapyontheposteriorregionofthekneeduringthefirst3 daysafterthetotalkneereplacementoperation.
These procedures were combined with an exercise program and 5 minutes of ice gel on the operatedkneeforall3groups.
Following surgery, all patients were given aspirin (to prevent venous thrombosis) and pain managementdrugs(opiates).
Rangeofmotion(ROM),visualanalogscale(VAS)pain,opiateconsumption,knee swelling,and knee society score (KSS)were assessed before surgery and postoperative day 2, postoperative day3,month3,andmonth12aftersurgery.
(KSS: measure for knee joint pain, range of motion, stability, and function including walking distance,abilitytoclimbstairs).
MostimportantresultswithBIOPTRONlighttherapy(detailedresultscanbefoundintheoriginal publication,seereference):
1/KneeROMwassignificantlybetteronday2and3,and3and12monthsaftersurgery
2/Paindecreasedsubstantiallywith7.2pointsat3months.
3/Kneeswellingwassignificantlylowerat3monthsaftertheoperation(nodataat12months).
4/Painmanagementdrug(opiates)consumptionwasloweratdays9and30aftertheoperation
5/KSSkneescoresandfunctionscoreswerealsoimprovedafter3and12months.
Conclusion and interpretation of results:
Intheearlystagesofrecoveryaftertotalkneearthroplasty,BIOPTRONlighttherapyishelpfulto controlimmediateandacutekneepainandswelling,reducetheneedforopioids,improveROM andfunctionalscores,andimproverecovery.
In addition, BIOPTRON light treatment is commercially available, the treatment is safe, nonpharmaceutical,andnon-invasive.
Reference: Innovative Light Therapy: Low-Level Laser and Light Therapy After Total Knee ArthroplastyImprovesPostoperativePainandFunctionalOutcomes:AThree-ArmRandomized ClinicalTrial.(ArthroplastyToday,19,2023,1-9.)
