Abstract
Laser energy stimulates articular cartilage repair when applied at low energy levels (Schultz et al., 1985; Borovoy et al., 1989). Tissue repair occurs through increased cartilage and synovial cell activity. We review here the organization and function of articular cartilage and summarize effects of laser energy on joint tissue as reported in the literature and from our experimental studies with the 2.1 μm holmium:YAG laser. Our studies showed that human articular cartilage responds to low levels of 2.1 μm holmium:YAG laser energy through cell proliferation (DNA synthesis) and increased proteoglycan synthesis (sulfate incorporation into glycosaminoglycan). At high levels of laser energy, cartilage cell metabolism was inhibited.
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Smith, R.L., Montgomery, L., Fanton, G., Dillingham, M., Schurman, D.J. (1995). Effects of Laser Energy on Diarthrodial Joint Tissues: Articular Cartilage and Synovial Cell Metabolism. In: Brillhart, A.T. (eds) Arthroscopic Laser Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2468-6_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2468-6_7
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
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