By: Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | Hollywood, Florida
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting 58.5 million adults according to the CDC, a number projected to reach 78 million by 2040. For the retirement communities of Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Aventura, and Fort Lauderdale, arthritis is a daily reality. Many patients in these communities are exploring conservative, tissue-level care options alongside or before considering surgery, repeated injections, or long-term pharmaceutical management. Hollywood Laser Pain Center offers the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol as part of a non-surgical care approach for arthritic joints.
Arthritis is progressive. Sustained joint inflammation is associated with continued cartilage breakdown. Published research has also examined the long-term effects of repeated cortisone injections on joint structure, which has shaped clinical conversations about extended injection cycles.
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, I have served Broward County’s senior and retirement population for more than 20 years, communicating with patients in English, Spanish, Russian, and Haitian Creole to ensure that every patient receives care in a language they can fully understand.
What Is Osteoarthritis and What Does It Actually Do to the Joint?
Osteoarthritis involves the progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, the smooth, protective tissue covering the ends of bones within a joint. As cartilage degrades, subchondral bone becomes exposed, bone spurs form at joint margins, and the synovial membrane responds with chronic inflammation.
The CDC reports that osteoarthritis affects more than 32.5 million U.S. adults. Research published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases has examined long-term trends in osteoarthritis prevalence and documented substantial increases over recent decades. The joints most commonly affected, including knees, hips, hands, and the spine, are those most relevant to the daily function that Broward County’s active retirement population depends on.
What Does the Research Say About Cortisone and Long-Term Joint Health?
A 2017 study published in JAMA examined the effect of triamcinolone injections in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Researchers compared patients who received triamcinolone every 12 weeks over two years with patients who received saline injections. The triamcinolone group experienced significantly greater cartilage volume loss, with no significant difference in knee pain between groups.
These findings have contributed to ongoing clinical discussions about the role of repeated cortisone injections in long-term joint care planning.
How Is the Regenerative Medical Laser™ Protocol Used at Hollywood Laser Pain Center?
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol uses FDA-cleared, Class IV near-infrared laser energy as part of a non-surgical care approach for arthritic joints. Laser energy is directed toward the affected joint area to deliver photobiomodulation at the tissue level.
Photobiomodulation has been studied for its cellular-level effects. Published research has examined how laser energy interacts with mitochondrial activity, the modulation of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α, and chondrocyte function in laboratory and clinical models.
Research published in Lasers in Medical Science has examined photobiomodulation in patients with knee osteoarthritis, reporting reductions in pain and improvements in function. A 2022 meta-analysis in Arthritis Research and Therapy examined photobiomodulation across multiple joint osteoarthritis presentations and reported a favorable safety profile.
Each treatment plan at Hollywood Laser Pain Center is developed on an individual basis following a comprehensive clinical evaluation.
What Does Acupuncture Add for Arthritis Patients?
My acupuncture certification provides a complement to laser therapy for arthritic patients who experience central sensitization, the nervous system amplification that can occur in chronic joint pain and that may produce pain intensity disproportionate to the degree of joint damage. The American College of Physicians includes acupuncture among its evidence-based recommendations for chronic musculoskeletal pain, citing its role in modulating pain processing pathways. For Broward County’s arthritis population, this integration reflects the multidisciplinary clinical environment at Broward Medical and Rehab.
How Do Non-Surgical and Replacement Surgery Options Compare?
Knee replacement surgery in the United States averages approximately $30,000 to $50,000 in direct costs and typically requires six to twelve weeks of restricted mobility during recovery. Published research, including work in BMJ Open, has documented that approximately one in five knee replacement patients reports moderate-to-severe pain in the years following surgery.
Non-surgical care options, including Class IV laser therapy, are typically considered as part of a broader conservative care plan and are commonly discussed with patients alongside other treatment options. Patients considering joint replacement are encouraged to review the full range of options with their healthcare providers as part of their treatment planning.
Visit reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/ to learn more. Patient education content is available at youtube.com/@ReliefNowNation. Contact Hollywood Laser Pain Center at 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333 | reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/
Dr. Mark earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic with honors and has practiced for more than 27 years in Hollywood, Florida. He holds certifications in Graston Technique and acupuncture, is a former collegiate football player at Wake Forest University, and practices at Broward Medical and Rehab. He communicates with patients in English, Spanish, Russian, and Haitian Creole. He is a provider in the national ReliefNow® network.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Effectiveness of treatments may vary depending on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your specific medical needs and treatment options.
