Introduction: Recently, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been evaluated for use with tibial plateau surgeries in dogs. To date, the ideal LLLT power setting has not been identified for this clinical use. We hypothesized that increasing LLLT energy settings would decrease pain levels, improve limb use, enhance radiographic bone healing, and improve the osteoarthritic (OA) environment within the affected joint following surgery.
Materials and Methods: Nine client-owned dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture were divided into 3, LLLT power treatment groups (2, 4, or 6 J/cm2) using an 808 nm, 500 mW power, Class IIIb laser source. All dogs underwent stifle arthroscopy followed by TPLO surgery. Outcome measurements included orthopedic examinations, accelerometry, goniometry, force plate analysis, Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), Modified Glasgow Pain Score (MGPS), radiographic scoring, and synovial PGE2 levels during the initial 8 weeks after surgery.
Results: There were no significant outcome differences identified between all 3 treatment groups over the 8-week study period. Trends for decreasing pain levels and increased limb function were observed in groups 1 (2 J/cm2) and 3 (6 J/cm2) based on CBPI, GMPS, and force plate analysis. Trends for increased bone healing and decreased PGE2 were found in group 2 (4 J/cm2).
Discussion/Conclusion: This is the first study to evaluate variable power doses for LLLT in TPLO patients. The trends for potential beneficial effects from each power setting will allow for the testing of future LLLT treatment protocols for larger TPLO study groups.
Acknowledgment: Study funding provided by Respond Systems Inc. The investigators declare no conflicts of interest.
