Effects of High Intensity Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Tendon and Ligament Injuries in Performance Horses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high intensity laser therapy (HILT) on tendon and ligament injury treatment in horses. Twenty six horses with tendinopathies were randomly assigned to a HILT treated or to a non-treated group. Each horse was subjected to the same rehabilitation programme. Horses from the treatment group underwent a series of fifteen HILT treatments with the same parameters. Clinical and ultrasound assessments were performed by the same veterinarian and were carried out before (day 0), during (day 13–15) and after treatment (day 38–40). Clinical evaluation included: pain, swelling and lameness of the affected limb. The ultrasound examination evaluated lesion echogenicity and lesion percentage. After the treatment, pain, swelling and lameness were significantly improved by HILT compared with the control group (p = 0.023, 0.008 and 0.044, respectively). No significant changes were found in lesion echogenicity degree between both groups in measurements taken during treatment (p = 0.188) and after treatment (p = 0.070). For lesion percentage reduction, the statistical modelling showed a significant improvement in the HILT group compared with the control group during (p = 0.038) and after treatment (p = 0.019). In conclusion, HILT promoted analgesic and anti-oedema effects, with visual lameness reduction in horses with tendon and ligament injuries, and reduced lesion percentage but did not influence change in lesion echogenicity.

Comparison of the Effect of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on Skin Surface Temperature and Vein Diameter in Pigmented and Non-Pigmented Skin in Healthy Racehorses

“…In that study, improvement was found in the pain, swelling and lameness assessed after treatment in the group treated with HILT compared with the control group. Moreover, in ultrasound examination for lesion percentage reduction, there was a statistically significant improvement in the group treated with HILT in comparison with the control group [7]. Similar clinical results using HILT were described by Pluim et al [8], who treated tendinopathy and desmopathy with HILT or with HILT and other therapies on a group of 150 sport horses, but the study did not include a control group.…”

Histological tissue healing following high‐power laser treatment in a model of suspensory ligament branch injury

“…Further, the average duration of the rehabilitation period was much shorter than described in previously published studies on different treatment modalities for tendinitis and desmitis in horses 10 . Beneficial effects were also reported in a recent study in 26 sports horses with tendinopathy or desmopathy that were randomly assigned to either high‐intensity laser therapy or a non‐treatment group 11 . In the treatment group, analgesic and anti‐inflammatory scores were better, lameness was improved and better lesion filling on ultrasound was found when compared to non‐treated horses 11 .…”

“…10 Beneficial effects were also reported in a recent study in 26 sports horses with tendinopathy or desmopathy that were randomly assigned to either high-intensity laser therapy or a non-treatment group. 11 In the treatment group, analgesic and anti-inflammatory scores were better, lameness was improved and better lesion filling on ultrasound was found when compared to non-treated horses. 11 A recent case report describes the successful application of a high-power laser to treat injuries of the medial collateral ligament of the carpus in two horses.…”

“…11 In the treatment group, analgesic and anti-inflammatory scores were better, lameness was improved and better lesion filling on ultrasound was found when compared to non-treated horses. 11 A recent case report describes the successful application of a high-power laser to treat injuries of the medial collateral ligament of the carpus in two horses. 12 With clinical evidence increasing, standardised experimental studies into the therapeutic effect of high-power laser therapy on the tendon and ligament healing remain, however, scarce.…”

“…13 In a clinical study with ultrasonographic evaluation after high-power laser therapy, a significant reduction in lesion size was also observed. 10,11 At the cellular and matrix level of the healing ligament tissue, the shape of the nuclei was significantly more often scored above 1 (2, moderately round or 3, predominantly round) in the control group compared to the treatment group. Rounded nuclei are typically present in immature or activated tenocytes seen in tendinitis.…”