Low Level Laser Therapy (Lllt) for Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Abstract

Background and Aims: Sacroiliac joint pain not associated with a major etiological factor is a common problem seen in the orthopedic clinical setting, but diagnosis is difficult because of the anatomical area and thus it is sometimes difficult to effect a complete cure. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been well-reported as having efficacy in difficult pain types, so the following preliminary study was designed to assess the efficacy of LLLT for sacroiliac pain. Materials and Methods: Nine patients participated, 4 males and 5 females, average age of 50.4 yrs, who attended the outpatient department with sacroiliac pain. The usual major disorders were ruled out. Pain was assessed subjectively pre-and post-LLLT on a visual analog scale, and trunk range of motion was examined with the flexion test to obtain the pre-and post-treatment finger to floor distance (FFD). The LLLT system used was an 830 nm CW diode laser, 1000 mW, 30 sec/point (20 J/cm 2 ) applied on the bilateral tender points twice/week for 5 weeks. Baseline and final assessment values (after the final treatment session) were compared with the Wilcoxon signed rank test (nonparametric score). Results: All patients completed the study. Eight of the 9 patients showed significant pain improvement and 6 demonstrated significantly increased trunk mobility (P <0.05 for both). Conclusions: LLLT was effective for sacroiliac pain, and this may be due to improvement of the blood circulation of the strong ligaments which support the sacroiliac joint, activation of the descending inhibitory pathway, and the additional removal of irregularities of the sacroiliac joint articular surfaces. Further larger-scale studies are warranted.

Low-level laser therapy combined with postural correction exercises on postpartum sacroiliac joint pain: a randomised controlled trial

“…These findings were confirmed by ohkuni et al [16], who reported a significant improvement in pain and lumbar mobility in individuals with SiJ dysfunction in the LLL group. Also, Aydin et al [31] applied a laser on the L3 to S1 supraspinous ligaments and sacroiliac joints bilaterally in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, concluding that laser therapy relieved pain and improved function in those patients.…”

“…Monticone et al [36] found that a combined program of specific exercises and postural education is an effective treatment for reducing SiJ pain. Similarly, ohkuni et al [16], who suggested that in spite of the beneficial effect of LLL on reducing SiJ pain, it has a short-term effect and recommended the importance of advising and educating patients on the correct postures and how to avoid awkward positions to get a prolonged treatment effect. Also, Gur et al [37] investigated the effect of adding low-power laser to exercises on chronic low back pain and concluded that, even though pain levels were reduced in all groups, with no significant difference between any therapy groups, pain was improved more in the combined laser and exercise group than in the exercise-only group.…”

“…Then, the therapist divided the affected area into 3 points that expressed the most painful points. The laser probe was applied perpendicularly at each point for 30 s, 3 times (approximately 5 min in total) [16,22].…”

“…However, there is no obvious optimal management for postpartum sacroiliac pain specifically [15]. in practice, either low-power laser or standardised exercises are used separately in the management of SiJ dysfunction [16,17]. However, extensive literature searches revealed that there was no previous study discussing the efficacy of low-level laser therapy combined with posture correction exercises specifically on postnatal SiJ pain.…”