The Effect of Low-Level Laser on Postoperative Pain After Tibial Fracture Surgery: A Single-Blind Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background:Postoperative pain is a common complication that can lead to serious morbidities and delayed recovery.Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy on acute pain after tibial fracture surgery.Patients and Methods:In this randomized clinical trial, 54 patients who were candidate for tibial fracture surgery were allocated randomly to two groups, namely, control and laser therapy. Both groups had the same type of surgery and technique of spinal anesthesia. Patients in laser group were treated with the combination of two lasers (GaALAs, 808 nm; and GaALInP, 650 nm) at the end of the surgery while control group received laser in turn-off mode with the same duration as laser group. Patients were evaluated for pain intensity according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the amount of analgesic use during 24 hours after surgery.Results:Laser group experienced less pain intensity in comparison with control group at second, fourth, eighth, 12th, and 24th hours after surgery (P Value < 0.05). In addition, the amount of consumed opioid in laser group was significantly less than the control group (51.62 ± 29.52 and 89.28 ± 35.54 mg, respectively; P Value, 0.008).Conclusions:Low Level Laser Therapy is a proper method to reduce postoperative pain because it is painless, safe, and noninvasive and is easily accepted by patients.

The Effects of Photobiomodulation Therapy on Post-Surgical Pain

“…The effect size of laser therapy has been reported in Table 4. The effect size was only calculated in 4 papers, 24,25,29,31 and in other articles due to the absence of SD or VAS, was not calculated. [26][27][28]30,32,33 As well, in Santos et al 29 VAS measurement was performed twice; more than 2 hours after surgery, and after 40-48 hours after surgery.…”

“…19 As well as LLLT has been used to relieve pain in postoperative pain. 24 But, there was not any systematic review that studies the role of LLLT in improving postoperative pain. So, the aim of this study was to systematically review of evidence regarding the effects of LLLT on postoperative pain.…”

Hemodynamic Changes After Intubation of Endotracheal Tube, LMA Classic™, and I-gel in Patients Candidates for Elective Eye Surgery

“…In these cases, the stress response with the release of catecholamines leads to increased blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to life -threatening risks in the patients susceptible to cardiovascular diseases and cerebral events. Several methods have been used to avoid the stress response and to prevent hemodynamic changes (1)(2)(3).…”

The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain

“…The current medical treatment of pain or analgesics is directed at various steps of the pain pathways (Figure 1). Clinically, low level laser therapy (LLLT) can treat nociceptive [9] and neuropathic pain [10], while central pain has not yet been proven to be responsive to LLLT.…”

“…Acute orthopedic conditions such as sprains [52,53], strains, post-surgical pain, a whiplash injury [54], muscular back pain, cervical or lumbar radiculopathy [55,56], tendinitis [57,58] and chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis [59–64], rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulder [65], neck and back pain [56], epicondylitis [66], carpal tunnel syndrome [67,68], tendinopathy [69], fibromyalgia [70], plantar fasciitis [70], post tibial fracture surgery [9] and chronic regional pain syndrome are amenable to LLLT. Dental conditions producing pain such as orthodontic procedures [71], dentine hypersensitivity [72], and third molar surgery [73] respond well to treatment with LLLT.…”