Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Laser regeneration of cartilage in orthopedics

International Conference and Exhibition on Orthopedics & Rheumatology

August 13-15, 2012 Hilton Chicago/Northbrook, USA

Emil Sobol1, Anatoly Shekhter2 and Andrey Baskov3

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Rheumatology & Orthopedics

Abstract :

T he paper presents a novel approach for cartilage regeneration based on a thermo mechanical effect of non-destructive laser radiation. The main advantage of laser-induced regeneration is triggering of the reactions which lead to filling of the defects of cartilage structures with hyaline-like tissue. We consider physical and biological aspects of laser-induced regeneration of cartilage; discuss possibilities and prospects of laser applications for treatment of joints and intervertebral discs. Laser reconstruction of discs (LRD) was applied in clinical practice for 2000 patients with spine instability and back pain syndrome. Stable positive results are observed for 90 percent of the patients obtained LRD. Reparation of disc structures prevents the development of disc instability, hernia and stenosis of vertebral channel. A preventive character of LRD allows, in many cases, to avoid stabilization surgeries, drastically decrease a probability of relapses after disc hernia removal. Laser regeneration of cartilage can be applied in (a) mild disc dehydration when darkening in the disc region and lowered height of this disc were observed on MRI; (b) Significant disc dehydration; presence of protrusions and disc extrusion; rupture of the fibrous ring, absence of the longitudinal ligament rupture; myofascial nodes; (c) significant destruction of a disc including hyaline endplates (?a vacuum effect?); (d) treatment of the spinal ligaments and joints, the vacuum effect; defect of the endplate; (e) treatment of the knee and hip joints, and also (f) in combination with impregnation of stem cells and other biological or chemical substrates

Biography :

Emil Sobol is the head of Biophotonics Laboratory at the Institute on Laser and Information Technologies, Russian Academy of Sciences. He is an author of four books and more than 120 papers in reputed journals; invited speaker at 38 international conferences. He has pioneered laser reshaping of cartilage in 1992; received Theodore Maiman Award, from the Laser Institute of America; (2) Kapitza Fellowship from the Royal Society, UK; and Russian National Award ?Vocation? for outstanding contribution of non-medical scientists to medicine