Question: My husband has arthritis in his hip, and is in pain. Will cold laser therapy help?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Arthritis is a general term for inflammation in a joint. When you say he has arthritis, I assume you are referring to the most common form of arthritis encountered, osteoarthritis, which is usually associated with overuse and aging. Other forms of arthritis have specific treatments that are, in some cases, curative.

Cold laser therapy is a low-level light treatment believed to stimulate circulation, but it is probably better-suited to short-term injury treatment and rehabilitation than long-term treatment of a recurring condition such as osteoarthritis. It may provide you temporary relief and has little reported risks and downsides other than cost, but it is not curative.