Which condition is an absolute contraindication for laser treatment in human patients?

The use of a spinal cord stimulator is considered an absolute contraindication for laser treatment due to the potential for interaction between the laser energy and the electrical components of the stimulator. This interaction could lead to unintended effects, such as heating of the device or disruption of its functionality. Since the spinal cord stimulator is typically implanted to manage pain by delivering electrical impulses, applying laser therapy in the vicinity could interfere with its operation or cause harm to the patient.

In contrast, recent cortisone injections, the use of immunosuppressant drugs, and photosensitizing drugs do not pose the same level of risk associated with mechanical devices or implants, making them relative rather than absolute contraindications. While these conditions may require additional precautions or modifications to treatment plans, they do not inherently prevent the use of laser therapy in the same definitive manner as the presence of a spinal cord stimulator.