Quantification of Energy Delivery for Arthroscopic Laser Surgery

Abstract

Routine daily use of an arthroscopic laser does not usually require calculation and quantification of power density, total energy, or fluence. Control of the arthroscopic laser is generally based on visual cues, noting the geometries of the defects created and deciding whether to proceed faster or slower. In this sense, control of arthroscopic laser parameters is relative, and the surgeon learns to use it like any surgical instrument—by practice, not calculation. A knowledge of energy concepts is important to understand why a laser works as it does.