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Safe parameters for laser chondroplasty of the knee
Author(s) -
Janecki Chet J.,
Perry Michael W.,
Bonati Alfred O.,
Bendel Michelle
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1998)23:3<141::aid-lsm3>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - chondroplasty , medicine , surgery , femoral condyle , holmium , laser , magnetic resonance imaging , condyle , radiology , orthopedic surgery , knee replacement , cartilage , anatomy , physics , optics
Background and Objective: The purpose of this study is to summarize our use of the Holmium laser as a tool in performing chondroplasties of the knee and to determine whether any untoward affects developed at the site of laser application. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 504 laser chondroplasties of the medial femoral condyle was done. Laser parameters and the average number of joules to perform the chondroplasties were recorded. The average follow‐up was 11 months. Results Preoperative MRI interpretation indicated that 8% of the patients had osteonecrosis prior to surgery. 88% of the patients were satisfied with the procedure. All failures were evaluated by X‐ray, MRI, bone scan, or biopsy of the medial femoral condyle. No new cases of osteonecrosis were determined. Conclusion No new cases of osteonecrosis were documented of the medial femoral condyle following laser chondroplasty utilizing the parameters in this study. The Holmium laser remains a safe and efficacious tool in performing chondroplasty. Lasers Surg. Med. 23:141–150, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.