Laser reshaping and regeneration of cartilage

Demonstration of laser-induced stress relaxation in cartilage in 1992 led to the development of a novel laser surgical procedure in otolaryngology for the non-ablative reshaping of cartilage. Follow-up studies found that non-destructive laser irradiation may activate regeneration processes in cartilaginous tissue. Ongoing studies seek to characterize the physical, chemical and biological processes and mechanisms involved in the reshaping and regeneration of deformed and diseased cartilage under moderate laser heating. A theoretical model is developed considering laser-induced stress relaxation in cartilage as a process of micropore formation. Results obtained provide scientific and engineering data for development of novel laser surgical procedures for correction of the nasal septum and treatment of spine disc cartilage diseases. This review is aimed to present state of art and recent results in laser - induced reshaping and regeneration of cartilage.