72 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III knee osteoarthritis were randomized to daily sessions of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) for 1 week, or to a sham intervention. Patients were followed up for pain at rest, on palpation, and on movement, pressure-pain threshold, the maximum pressure under the heel during static stance, the maximum pressure under the heel during dynamic walking, and the total plantar surface of each leg. Percent changes from baseline for each outcome were significantly greater in the HILT group compared to the sham group at the end of treatment, after the 1-month follow-up, and after the 3-month follow-up.