Low-level laser therapy partially restores cartilage integrity and reduces chronic pain behavior

Osteoarthritis (OA) associated chronic pain leads to reduced function and engagement in activities of daily living. This study investigated the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on cartilage integrity. Monoiodoacetate (MIA) model of OA was used to evaluate cartilage degradation following two weeks of delayed LLLT treatment. Behavioral tests and knee joint histology were used to assess the OA-related deficits. MIA induced chronic pain-like behavior with respective cartilage degradation. LLLT have positive effects on weight support and mechanical allodynia. Here, we show that LLLT-treated cartilage displays enhanced optical densitometry (O.D.) of superficial layers, likely reflecting increased proteoglycan and chondrocyte content. LLLT treatment during the chronic phase of MIA-induced OA promotes cartilage integrity