Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low-level laser before knee surgery helps dogs recover better
By Rogatko, Cleo P et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2017·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Preoperative low level laser therapy in dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy: A blinded, prospective, randomized clinical trial.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of healthy dogs undergoing surgery to fix knee problems (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or TPLO) received either a special laser treatment before their operation or a fake treatment. The dogs that had the laser therapy showed better recovery in terms of how much weight they could put on their leg eight weeks after surgery compared to those that didn’t. Although there were no major complications, more dogs in the laser group seemed to have healed by that time. This suggests that using low-level laser therapy before surgery might help dogs recover better after knee surgery.
People also search for: dog knee surgery recovery · low-level laser therapy for dogs · TPLO surgery outcomes
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of preoperative low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on therapeutic outcomes of dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO). METHODS: Healthy dogs undergoing TPLO were randomly assigned to receive either a single preoperative LLLT treatment (800-900 nm dual wavelength, 6 W, 3.5 J/cm, 100 cmarea) or a sham treatment. Lameness assessment and response to manipulation, as well as force plate analysis, were performed preoperatively, then again at 24 hours, two weeks, and eight weeks postoperatively. Radiographic signs of healing of the osteo-tomy were assessed at eight weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty-seven dogs (27 stifles) were included and no major complications occurred. At eight weeks postoperatively, a significant difference in peak vertical force analysis was noted between the LLLT (39.6% ± 4.7%) and sham groups (28.9% ± 2.6%), (p <0.01 Time, p <0.01 L). There were no significant differences noted between groups for all other parameters. The age of dogs in the LLLT group (6.6 ± 1.6 years) was greater than that for the sham group (4.5 ± 2.0, p <0.01). Although not significant, a greater proportion of LLLT dogs (5/8) had healed at the eight-week time point than in the sham group (3/12) despite the age difference (p = 0.11) Clinical significance: The results of this study demonstrate that improved peak vertical force could be related to the preoperative use of LLLT for dogs undergoing TPLO at eight weeks postoperatively. The use of LLLT may improve postoperative return to function following canine osteotomies and its use is recommended.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27935005/