Understanding knee pain requires you to understand the anatomy of the knee.
So, when we talk of the knee, we usually refer to the part of the leg where the upper thighbone (femur) and lower shin bone (tibia) meet and are connected by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
At the knee is also the patella bone or kneecap.
This small bone at the front of the other two main bones has protective and movement functions. It slides on the cartilage to aid movement and bending and provides knee muscle support and protection.
All three bones in the knee area have cartilage around them to protect the knee and absorb shock from movement, heavy lifting, bending, and other activities that cause strain to the knee.
So, what causes pain or damage to any of these knee parts? That’s what you are about to find out.
Exactly because movement, bending, lifting, and other activities cause plenty of strain to the knee, repeated stress is one of the major causes of knee pain.
The other two major causes of knee pain are aging and injury.
All three causes can lead to various types of knee pain.
We usually describe the types of knee pain by the problem that causes them. Here are some of the common knee pain types.
Knee injuries result from movement and sports strains or other undertakings that cause abrupt knee twists. Knee injuries include:
Arthritis is a joint problem characterized by inflammation and tenderness. In the knee, arthritis is caused by inflammation and the wearing of knee joint cartilage.
Bursitis is a knee condition characterized by the inflammation of fluid sacs (bursae) around the knee.
There are different types of knee bursitis, often linked with people who kneel a lot or overstretch their knee joints with work or activity:
While there are many forms of knee treatment for muscle repair, like medication, physical therapy, and surgical operations, non-invasive and effective treatments like red light therapy are taking center stage.
So, how does red light therapy work for knee pain?
Red light therapy works for knee pain by sending specific wavelengths of low-level light in the red (630–660 nm) and near-infrared (810–850 nm) wavelength spectrums to penetrate knee muscles and joints and promote renewed cellular activity.
The mitochondria in the knee tissue cells absorb the red light to boost several biochemical processes. These processes activate muscle and joint renewal and essential healing changes.
Specifically, red light therapy works for knee pain by:
Red light is absorbed by mitochondria enzymes known as chromophores, mostly cytochrome c oxidase, to promote the production of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecule. This molecule generates energy for cell activity, leading to better cell function and the resulting knee muscle repair and regeneration.
Red light controls the production of inflammatory signaling proteins (cytokines) to trigger an anti-inflammatory response. Reduced inflammation works to speed up healing and relieve pain.
Red light and near-infrared light stimulate collagen production. This protein is indispensable for healthy knee ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, especially in conditions like tendonitis, osteoarthritis, and post-surgery knee recovery.
Red light therapy boosts the formation of blood cells (angiogenesis), which are key to muscle flexibility. By boosting blood flow in the knee area, red light enhances oxygen delivery, which in turn helps to flush out inflammatory byproducts and reduce muscle stiffness. All that speeds up recovery and supports complete knee healing.
Red light activates small muscle stem cells known as myosatellites to boost fast myoblast division. Myoblasts are immature blood cells. These cells are crucial in cartilage regeneration and the repair of injured muscles, especially in chronic pain conditions like arthritis.
Knowing how red light therapy works for knee pain leads us to ask why one should choose it and what its benefits are.
Choose red light therapy for knee pain for the following key reasons:
Compared to conventional knee treatment options like medication and surgical interventions, red light therapy has these benefits for knee treatment:
Red light controls and reduces swelling and inflammation and increases blood flow to the knee tissues. All three processes are crucial to healing and knee joint pain relief.
In this regard, low-level light therapy (LLLT) has shown significant success in pain relief for people with knee osteoarthritis, especially when using 904–905nm and 785–850nm wavelengths.
In clinical trials, 660nm LED light therapy reported positive outcomes as a preventative treatment for osteoarthritis.
This happened because the LED irradiation of the knee reduced free-radical formation in osteoarthritis-mimicking chondrocytes, the cells that constitute cartilage.
The preventative red light irradiation also inhibited pro-inflammatory gene activity and enhanced cellular expression.
In a study, photobiomodulation therapy with 660nm wavelengths proved effective in activating cartilage-forming stem cells and their proliferation. This positive mitochondrial activity showed better outcomes with higher energy irradiation (18 J/cm2 had better outcomes than 4 J/cm2).
Experts suggest that red light therapy is better for knee treatment because both red light and infrared light therapy can be used with large devices that deliver more energy and irradiate a broad area. Besides, it can also be delivered in wearable knee devices, especially for those with chronic knee pain.
Applied in clinical trials with 15 patients, red light therapy showed it can support overall knee health after knee joint surgery (arthroplasty). In these cases, both low-level laser therapy and LED red light showed immediate pain control and lesser opioid painkiller dependency. It also reduced swelling, improved movement, and facilitated faster recovery.
To enjoy the benefits of red light therapy, choosing the right RLT devices is extremely important.
Choosing the best red light therapy device for the knee can vary from case to case, depending on the cause and type of knee pain.
Regardless, these general guidelines on what to consider when choosing the best knee therapy device apply:
Near-infrared light (810-850nm) and infrared light (900+nm) have deeper penetration into knee joints and muscles and are most recommended for pain management and muscle repair.
However, research has shown that red light wavelengths of 660nm are also effective for knee pain.
So, when purchasing a red light device for knee pain, choose one that has a wide selection of wavelength range. The RedLiteX Pro Series panels are a perfect choice because their light wavelength range goes from 480nm to 1060nm.
A red light device irradiance points to its energy output.
The recommended optimal irradiance range for RLT devices is around 20 mW/cm² to >200 mW/cm², depending on the depth and purpose of treatment. Higher energy outputs deliver concentrated light illumination and faster positive results in shorter sessions and timelines.
Check with your red light therapy expert which range of irradiance works best for you.
While a knee is a knee, some knees are larger than others.
A small handheld device for a large masculine knee may not be as effective as when used for a slim feminine knee.
So, consider the device’s ability to target or fully irradiate your knee.
Go for a red light device for the knee that is easy and comfortable to use. For our RedLiteX Pro panels, features such as a touchscreen interface where you can specify therapy session time, wavelength, and mode make them super user-friendly and perfect for your specific therapy goals.
Safety applies both to the use of the device and the assurance of quality.
When purchasing a red light device for knee therapy, check for features such as the earlier mentioned session timers as well as device certifications. Opting for devices with low EMF emissions and made with medical-grade materials like our RedLiteX panels is an added advantage.
You can check if a red light therapy device is reliable by:
It’s no secret that red light therapy is still a novel form of treatment, and manufacturers are improving the devices consistently.
This is a good reason to choose devices with a prolonged warranty. 1 to 2 years is good, but 3 years is perfect as it shows the manufacturer’s trust in the reliable performance of their device.
Low cost isn’t always cheap, but affordability is key when it doesn’t compromise on quality.
Choose a red light therapy device that is within your budget and, at the same time, gives you the required features for successful knee treatment.
After choosing the best red light therapy device for knee treatment, how you use it safely is equally crucial.
Anyone desiring the best results from red light knee therapy needs to follow these tips:
Red light therapy for knee pain works with red (630–660 nm) and near-infrared (810–850) wavelengths. Choose these specific wavelengths with red light therapy devices for home use, such as panels, wraps, pads, or mats. Professional centers may use higher wavelengths.
Clean the knee area to remove any natural or added skin oils or dirt. A clean skin will allow better penetration of the red light waves.
Position the red light device in an appropriate location that allows a direct focus of red waves on your knee. The rule of thumb is 6-12 inches from the knee and up to 18 inches for infrared light when using panels or other light devices requiring positioning. If you opt for knee braces or wraps, ensure they wrap snugly around the knee.
The recommended time for a red light therapy knee session is 10 to 30 minutes maximum. The safest approach is to start with short sessions and graduate steadily to longer ones. Check the manufacturer guidelines for specific timing details.
Experts agree that positive outcomes with red light therapy depend on consistency of use. So, faithfully conduct your sessions 3-5 times weekly and for the recommended time length. Consult your device’s user guide or a professional red light consultant for precise session length details.
To avoid hindering the penetration of red light waves to your knee joint and muscles, we advise lying or sitting still while the therapy session is on. However, you can do relaxation exercises like meditation or reading.
Keep a record of the progress of your red light knee treatment. Notice if you feel less pain after each session, if the swelling is reducing, and if your knee mobility is improving. Discuss the results with your healthcare provider or RLT expert. Do this also if you do not notice any changes after a week or more of therapy.
When using red light therapy for the knee, keep these safety tips in mind:
It’s a science-backed fact that red light therapy helps with knee treatment. However, positive outcomes from red light therapy for knee pain depend on crucial factors like using the right device and using it correctly.
If you have knee issues like sports or work injuries, age-related osteoarthritis, or bursitis that cause a lot of pain, red light therapy for the knee is a highly recommended treatment option.
Apart from being easy to use, it is safe and non-invasive and won’t cause additional damage to your knee joint and muscles.
As our usual disclaimer, always work with your healthcare provider or a professional when using red light therapy.
1. Arthritis Foundation: Anatomy of the Knee.
2. Johns Hopkins: Knee Pain and Problems.
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4. Tong, J., Subbiah, S.K., Rampal, S., et al. (2024). Effect of 660-nm LED Photobiomodulation on the Proliferation and Chondrogenesis of Meniscus-Derived Stem Cells (MeSCs). *Sci Rep*, 14, 19735.
5. I-Cheng, C., Chen-Ying, S., Chi-Hau, F., Hsu-Wei, F. (2021). Preventative Treatment of Red Light-Emitting Diode Protected Osteoarthritis-Like Chondrocytes from Oxidative Stress-Induced Inflammation and Promoted Matrix Gene Expression. *Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers*, 127, 23–31.
6. Bahrami, H., Moharrami, A., Mirghaderi, P., Mortazavi, S.M.J. (2023). Low-Level Laser and Light Therapy After Total Knee Arthroplasty Improves Postoperative Pain and Functional Outcomes: A Three-Arm Randomized Clinical Trial. *Arthroplasty Today*, 19, 101066.
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