PAIN MANAGEMENT
Laser Solutions in Orthopedics and Neurosurgery
Minimally invasive laser systems for chronic pain management: PLDD, facet and SI joint denervation, and knee denervation
Diode laser technology is a mature, safe, minimally invasive way for Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD) and facet/SI joint denervation, providing long-term pain relief. In orthopedics, it offers a new approach for joint denervation, especially for chronic knee pain management.
A PROVEN, COMBINED SOLUTION FOR SPINAL PAIN MANAGEMENT
Benefits of the technology
Our treatment options make use of advanced laser technology for pain management in neurosurgery and orthopedics:
Neurosurgery
Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD) therapy offered by biolitec® is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed on an ambulatory/outpatient basis. Minimally invasive treatments offer numerous advantages for both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), as well as for the sustainability and long-term viability of the healthcare system:
- Incision-free procedure
- Fast recovery
- Reduced pain & discomfort
- Lower risk of complications
- Improved precision
- Better functional outcomes
- Cost-effectiveness
During the PLDD procedure, a small liquid volume contained within the nucleus pulposus is vaporized, resulting in a reduction of the intradiscal pressure (“shrinking effect”) leading to a decrease in disc herniation and nerve root compression. Additionally, it results in a thermal ablation of the intradiscal pain receptors (nociceptive nerves), which play an important role in the pathophysiology of discogenic syndrome.
To optimize the patient’s pain management, a facet & SI joints denervation treatment can be performed during the same PLDD procedure, providing enhanced pain relief through combination therapy.
- Minimally invasive treatment
- Ambulatory, quick & safe procedure
- More than 20 years of experience
- Only one fiber needed for the whole procedure
Orthopedics
The Laser Knee Denervation (LKD) therapy offered by biolitec® is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed on an ambulatory/outpatient basis. Minimally invasive orthopedic treatments offer numerous advantages for both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), as well as for the sustainability and long-term viability of the healthcare system:
- Incision-free procedure
- Fast recovery
- Reduced pain & discomfort
- Lower risk of complications
- Improved precision
- Better functional outcomes
- Cost-effectiveness
Furthermore, the 1470 nm wavelength employed by the LEONARDO® laser exhibits optimal absorption in nerve tissue. This laser therapy therefore offers a targeted and precise treatment of the tissue without damaging the surrounding (“photothermolysis effect”).
In addition, LKD therapy does not require any sensory testing for the patient. Indeed, the accuracy of the laser and the flexibility of the optic fibers allow health care professionals to move along the nerves during the procedure to create larger lesions and optimize the treatment outcomes.
Only one fiber is needed during the LKD procedure. This leads to more flexibility for the physician during the treatment and a great advantage in terms of costs and sustainability.
- Innovative solution for chronic knee pain management
- Minimally invasive laser therapy
- Based on more than 20 years of experience in spinal applications
- Ambulatory procedure
- 20-30 minutes
- No sensory testing required for the patient
- Accurate nerves targeting (more nerves & larger lesions)
- Possibility to move the fiber along the nerves during the treatment
- Only one fiber needed
- Designed for durable pain relief and healthcare system sustainability
IMPROVING
QUALITY OF LIFE
biolitec’s laser technology has allowed me to treat my patients’ acute and chronic spinal pain for many years. The devices’ ease of use, precision, and effectiveness enable me to provide suitable solutions in my patients’ care pathway. Furthermore, the treatment’s flexibility has allowed me to consider treating chronic knee pain, particularly in patients with osteoarthritis or after total knee replacement. This new approach allows me to meet my patients’ needs and provide them with precise solutions for reducing their joint pain and improving their daily lives.
Dr. Gregor Kienbacher, Board-certified specialist in orthopedics and orthopedic surgery
Videos of the procedure
Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD), experience by Dr. Gregor Kienbacher
Knee procedure patient story
Products
Our user-friendly medical diode lasers for pain management therapies provide a fast ROI thanks to low maintenance costs, affordability and much faster procedures thanks to our technology.
Our most versatile laser that offers the power you need, operating with the ideal wavelength of 1470 nm (easy combination with 980 nm if needed).
This portable medical laser device is the answer to the demand for a low footprint and economical laser system. With only 900 g, this laser is designed to be moved easily and used quickly in multiple clinical settings.
Our Orthopedics Kits are based on more than 20 years of experience in spinal applications.
They consist of:
- One bare fiber (360 µm) with a special Y-Click adapter
- One puncture needle with a length of 150 mm
or 200 mm and a diameter of 18 G (or 21 G for cervical applications)
Frequent Questions
As a surgeon/health care professional, how can I learn laser pain management surgery?
We regularly organize workshops at international reference centers, focusing on teaching the fundamental theoretical and practical aspects. These workshops are designed to support physicians to master the procedures faster and apply them safely.
We also organize webinars during which our experts present their experiences, clinical cases, and provide technical and clinical tips & tricks. This “Expert Sharing” session (1 hour) aims to provide you with advice to simplify your procedure, answer your questions, and thus boost your confidence.
Contact us for dates and reserve your spot!
Can these procedures be performed on ambulatory/outpatient basis?
Both PLDD and Facet/SI Joint Denervation, as well as Laser Knee Denervation (LKD), are ambulatory/outpatient procedures. Patients usually return home the same day.
How long do these procedures take?
The whole procedure takes around 20-30 min for LKD and around 30-40 min for PLDD + Facet/SI Joint Denervation.
What devices are needed to perform laser pain management?
- The laser itself, such as the biolitec® LEONARDO® DUAL 45 or the LEONARDO® Mini
- An orthopedic fiber, such as the biolitec Orthopedics Kits
- Laser safety goggles
- Patient imaging device (such as C-Arm, CT, Ultrasound, MRI)
What are the main indications for a laser treatment of Knee Pain?
The Laser Knee Denervation (LKD) therapy is indicated to treat such patients after following the clinical process described below:
- Patient with OA grade 2 to 4 (Kelgren-Lawrence)
- After a rigorous pain diagnostics including imaging as part of a multi modal pain management
- Failed conservative treatments:
- Self-exercise
- Physical therapy
- Topical and oral Medication (3 to 6 months)
- Intra-articular injections (Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), steroids, hyaluronic acid, etc.)
- Successful diagnostic blocks (>50 % pain relief)
What are the indications and contraindications for Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD) & facet/SI joint denervation?
Main indications:
- Contained lumbar disc herniation
- Contained cervical disc herniation
- Contained thoracic disc herniation
- Back pain
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Facet joint denervation
- Sacroiliac joint denervation
Contraindications:
Contraindications for all minimally invasive surgical and endoscopic procedures apply and should be evaluated by the physician before considering laser treatment. These include, but are not limited to:
- Anesthesia intolerance
- Elevated risk of perforation or tissue erosion (such as after radiation therapy)
- Coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy
How many fibers should we use during the PLDD or LKD procedure?
Only one fiber is needed during the whole procedure. This makes our offering a very cost-effective solution – quick, safe and easy to learn and implement into your daily clinical practice.
What kind of Patient-Guided Imaging should we use for the LKD procedure?
There is no restriction, and it depends on your preferences as a surgeon: fluoroscopy (C-Arm), scanner (CT) and/or echography (ultrasound) might be used alone or in combination during the intervention.
What are the main differences between medical laser applications and radiofrequency (RF)?
Laser technology is particularly famous for its precision and coherence (both spatial and temporal).
- Spatial coherence provides you with extreme precision in the area you wish to target.
- Temporal coherence provides you with a specific and unique wavelength adapted to the selected tissue (for example nerves).
These characteristics allow surgeons/health care professionals a targeted and precise treatment of the tissues without damaging the surrounding (“photothermolysis effect”).
Furthermore, laser denervation procedures do not require sensory testing for the patient. This unique advantage also offers the possibility to use only one fiber during the whole therapy, making laser denervation a cost-effective procedure for a sustainable healthcare system.
What is the difference between contact and non-contact fibers/laser applications?
Contact fibers are applied directly to the tissue and are used for cuts, whereas non-contact fibers are held above the tissue, while the laser beam enters the tissue at a distance.
The non-contact approach is ideally suited for ablation and coagulation and is therefore recommended for joint denervation, such as knee denervation or facet & SI joint denervation.
What are the main indications for a laser treatment of anterior post-surgical knee pain (for example after total knee arthroplasty)?
Chronic knee pain can appear after a knee surgery (such as total knee arthroplasty – TKA). Approximately 10 to 34% of patients are dissatisfied after a TKA with decreased function, mobility limitations and disability (with anterior post-surgical knee pain).
The Laser Knee Denervation (LKD) therapy is indicated to treat such patients after following the clinical process described below:
- Patient has post-surgical knee pain
- After a rigorous pain diagnostics including imaging as part of a multi modal pain management
- Failed conservative treatments:
- Self-exercise,
- Physical therapy,
- Topical and oral NSAIDs (3 to 6 months)
- Intra-articular injections (Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), steroids, hyaluronic acid, etc.)
- Successful diagnostic blocks (>50% pain relief)
The content on this website is intended exclusively for healthcare professionals and is not directed to the general public.
Patients seeking information about treatments should consult a qualified healthcare provider. biolitec® does not provide medical advice through this site.
