FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Effects of High Intensity Laser Therapy in the Treatment of ...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(8); doi: 10.3390/ani10081327

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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-07-31 PubMed ID: 32751968PubMed Central: PMC7459490DOI: 10.3390/ani10081327Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses a study conducted to assess the impact of high intensity laser therapy (HILT) in treating tendon and ligament injuries in horses.

Research Methodology

  • The sample for this study comprised 26 horses suffering from tendinopathies. These animals were randomly divided into two groups: one that received HILT treatment, and a control group that was not treated with HILT.
  • Every horse, regardless of the group they were assigned to, followed the same rehabilitation program.
  • Horses in the treatment group were given fifteen HILT treatments under the same parameters.
  • Assessments, both clinical and ultrasound-based, were conducted by the same veterinarian on three separate occasions: before starting the treatment (day 0), midway through the treatment (day 13-15), and after completing the treatment (day 38-40).
  • The clinical evaluation involved checking for signs of pain, swelling, and lameness in the affected limb. The ultrasound examination assessed the echogenicity of the lesion and the lesion percentage.

Research Findings

  • The results highlighted a significant improvement in pain, swelling, and lameness in the horses that were given HILT treatment, compared to those in the control group.
  • However, in terms of lesion echogenicity—a measure of density or hardness—there were no significant differences observed between the two groups, either during or after the treatment.
  • The statistical modeling indicated a significant decrease in the lesion percentage in horses that underwent HILT, both during and after the treatment, compared to the control group.

Research Conclusion

  • Findings from this study suggest that HILT can effectively alleviate pain and reduce swelling, visibly improve lameness, and decrease the lesion percentage in horses suffering from tendon and ligament injuries.
  • However, the treatment does not seem to have an impact on lesion echogenicity.

Cite This Article

APA
Zielińska P, Nicpoń J, Kiełbowicz Z, Soroko M, Dudek K, Zaborski D. (2020). Effects of High Intensity Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Tendon and Ligament Injuries in Performance Horses. Animals (Basel), 10(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081327

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 8

Researcher Affiliations

Zielińska, Paulina
  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 51, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland.
Nicpoń, Jakub
  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 51, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland.
Kiełbowicz, Zdzisław
  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 51, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland.
Soroko, Maria
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Equestrian Studies, The Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska 5A, 51-161 Wrocław, Poland.
Dudek, Krzysztof
  • Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Technology, Łukasiewicza 7/9, 50-231 Wrocław, Poland.
Zaborski, Daniel
  • Department of Ruminants Science, West Pomeranian University of Science and Technology, Doktora Judyma 10, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 41 references
  1. Södersten F. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), thrombospondin-4 (TSP-4) and type I and III collagens in tendon.. Acta Univ. Agric. Suec. 2006;94:11–12.
  2. Dyson S.J. Medical management of superficial digital flexor tendonitis: A comparative study in 219 horses (1992–2000). Equine Veter. J. 2004;36:415–419.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164044868422pubmed: 15253082google scholar: lookup
  3. Dahlgren L.A. Pathobiology of tendon and ligament injuries.. Clin. Tech. Equine Pr. 2007;6:168–173.
    doi: 10.1053/j.ctep.2007.08.002google scholar: lookup
  4. Lin T.W., Cardenas L., Soslowsky L.J. Biomechanics of tendon injury and repair.. J. Biomech. 2004;37:865–877.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2003.11.005pubmed: 15111074google scholar: lookup
  5. Van Schie H.T.M., Bakker E.M., Cherdchutham W., Jonker A.M., Van De Lest C.H., Van Weeren R. Monitoring of the repair process of surgically created lesions in equine superficial digital flexor tendons by use of computerized ultrasonography.. Am. J. Vet. Res. 2009;70:37–48.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.1.37pubmed: 19119947google scholar: lookup
  6. Bosch G., Moleman M., Barneveld A., Van Weeren P.R., Van Schie H.T.M. The effect of platelet-rich plasma on the neovascularization of surgically created equine superficial digital flexor tendon lesions.. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports. 2010;21:554–561.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01070.xpubmed: 20459479google scholar: lookup
  7. Davis C.S., Smith R.K. Diagnosis and management of tendon and ligament disorders.. 2006. In: Auer J.A., Stick J.A., editors. Equine Surgery. 3rd ed. Saunders Elsevier; St. Louis, MO, USA: pp. 1086–1111.
  8. Zielińska P., Soroko M., Zwyrzykowska A., Kiełbowicz Z. The use of laser biostimulation in human and animal physiotherapy—A review.. Acta Vet. Brno. 2017;86:91–96.
    doi: 10.2754/avb201786010091google scholar: lookup
  9. Fortuna D., Rossi G., Paolini C., Magi A., Losani F., Fallaci S., Pacini F., Porciani C., Sandler A., Torre R.D.. Nd:YAG pulsed-wave laser as support therapy in the treatment of teno-desmopathies of athlete horses: A clinical and experimental trial. Proceedings of the SPIE 4903, Laser Florence 2001: A Window on the Laser Medicine World Florence, Italy. 7–11 November 2001; pp. 105–118.
    doi: 10.1117/12.486622google scholar: lookup
  10. Pluim M., Martens A., Vanderperren K., Sarrazin S., Koene M., Luciani A., Van Weeren P., Delesalle C. Short- and long term follow-up of 150 sports horses diagnosed with tendinopathy or desmopathy by ultrasonographic examination and treated with high-power laser therapy.. Res. Vet. Sci. 2018;119:232–238.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.06.003pubmed: 30005398google scholar: lookup
  11. Santamato A., Solfrizzi V., Panza F., Tondi G., Frisardi V., Leggin B.G., Ranieri M., Fiore P. Short-term effects of high-intensity laser therapy versus ultrasound therapy in the treatment of people with subacromial impingement syndrome: A randomized clinical trial.. Phys. Ther. 2009;89:643–652.
    doi: 10.2522/ptj.20080139pubmed: 19482902google scholar: lookup
  12. Voronkov M.G., Motorina I.G., Iushkov G.G., Benemanski V.V., Rasulov M.M., Snisarenko T.A., Abzaeva K.A., Shukina O.G., Malishkina N.A. Effect of laser radiation of infrared and red range on healing of burn wounds.. Dokl. Biochem. Biophys. 2014;456:85–87.
    doi: 10.1134/S1607672914030016pubmed: 24993962google scholar: lookup
  13. Albertini R., Villaverde A., Aimbire F., Salgado M., Bjordal J., Alves L.P., Munin E., Costa M. Anti-inflammatory effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with two different red wavelengths (660nm and 684nm) in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema.. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B: Boil. 2007;89:50–55.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2007.08.005pubmed: 17920925google scholar: lookup
  14. Alayat M.S.M., Atya A., Ali M.M.E., Shosha T.M. Long-term effect of high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized blinded placebo-controlled trial.. Lasers Med. Sci. 2013;29:1065–1073.
    doi: 10.1007/s10103-013-1472-5pubmed: 24178907google scholar: lookup
  15. Kheshie A.R., Alayat M.S.M., Ali M.M.E. High-intensity versus low-level laser therapy in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.. Lasers Med. Sci. 2014;29:1371–1376.
    doi: 10.1007/s10103-014-1529-0pubmed: 24487957google scholar: lookup
  16. Moore P., Ridgway T.D., Higbee R.G., Howard E.W., Lucroy M.D. Effect of wavelength on low-intensity laser irradiation-stimulated cell proliferation in vitro.. Lasers Surg. Med. 2005;36:8–12.
    doi: 10.1002/lsm.20117pubmed: 15662631google scholar: lookup
  17. Young S., Bolton P., Dyson M., Harvey W., Diamantopoulos C. Macrophage responsiveness to light therapy.. Lasers Surg. Med. 1989;9:497–505.
    doi: 10.1002/lsm.1900090513pubmed: 2811573google scholar: lookup
  18. Passarella S., Casamassima E., Molinari S., Pastore D., Quagliariello E., Catalano I., Cingolani A. Increase of proton electrochemical potential and ATP synthesis in rat liver mitochondria irradiated in vitro by helium-neon laser.. FEBS Lett. 1984;175:95–99.
    doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(84)80577-3pubmed: 6479342google scholar: lookup
  19. Fiore P., Panza F., Cassatella G., Russo A., Frisardi V., Solfrizzi V., Ranieri M., Di Teo L., Santamato A. Short-term effects of high-intensity laser therapy versus ultrasound therapy in the treatment of low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.. Eur. J. Phys. Rehabil. Med. 2011;47:367–373.
    pubmed: 21654616
  20. Quiney L., Murray R., Dyson S. Management of primary injuries of the medial collateral ligament of the carpus in two horses.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2020;86:102878.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102878pubmed: 32067669google scholar: lookup
  21. Zielińska P., Kiełbowicz Z., Paczuska J. High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) in treatment of orthopedic diseases in horses.. Med. Weter. 2015;7:373–376.
  22. Ashley F.H., E Waterman-Pearson A., Whay H.R. Behavioural assessment of pain in horses and donkeys: Application to clinical practice and future studies.. Equine Vet. J. 2005;37:565–575.
    doi: 10.2746/042516405775314826pubmed: 16295937google scholar: lookup
  23. Bussières G., Jacques C., Lainay O., Beauchamp G., Leblond A., Cadoré J.-L., Desmaizières L.-M., Cuvelliez S., Troncy E. Development of a composite orthopaedic pain scale in horses.. Res. Vet. Sci. 2008;85:294–306.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2007.10.011pubmed: 18061637google scholar: lookup
  24. AAEP. Guide to Veterinary Services for Horse Shows.. 1999. 7th ed. AAEP; Lexington, KY, USA.
  25. Genovese R.L., Rantanen N.W., Hauser M.L., Simpson B.S. Clinical application of diagnostic ultrasound to the equine limb.. Proc. Annu. Conv. AAEP. 1985;31:701–721.
  26. Genovese J.W. Laser de Baixa Intensidade: Aplicações Terapêuticas em Odontologia.. 2000. Lovise Ltda; São Paulo, Brasil: pp. 170–175. (In Portuguese).
  27. Brown A.W., Weber D.C. Physical agent modalities.. 2000. In: Braddom R.L., editor. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. WB Saunders, Harcourt Health Sciences Company; London, UK: pp. 440–458.
  28. Frigo L., Fávero G.M., Lima H.J.C., Maria D.A., Bjordal J.M., Joensen J., Iversen V.V., Marcos R.L., Parizzoto N.A., Lopes-Martins R.A. Low-level laser irradiation (InGaAlP-660 nm) increases fibroblast cell proliferation and reduces cell death in a dose-dependent manner.. Photomed. Laser Surg. 2010;28:151–156.
    doi: 10.1089/pho.2008.2475pubmed: 19764894google scholar: lookup
  29. Nicolau R.A., Martinez M.S., Rigau J., Tomàs J. Neurotransmitter release changes induced by low power 830 nm diode laser irradiation on the neuromuscular junctions of the mouse.. Lasers Surg. Med. 2004;35:236–241.
    doi: 10.1002/lsm.20087pubmed: 15389739google scholar: lookup
  30. Wakabayashi H., Hamba M., Matsumoto K., Tachibana H. Effect of irradiation by semiconductor laser on responses evoked intrigeminal caudal neurons by tooth pulp stimulation.. Lasers Surg. Med. 1993;13:605–610.
    doi: 10.1002/lsm.1900130603pubmed: 8295468google scholar: lookup
  31. Lievens P.C. The effect of a combined HeNe and i.r. laser treatment on the regeneration of the lymphatic system during the process of wound healing.. Lasers Med. Sci. 1991;6:193–199.
    doi: 10.1007/BF02032548google scholar: lookup
  32. Stiglić-Rogoznica N., Stamenković D., Frlan-Vrgoc L., Avancini-Dobrović V., Vrbanić T.S.-L. Analgesic effect of high intensity laser therapy in knee osteoarthritis.. Coll. Antropol. 2011;35:183–185.
    pubmed: 22220431
  33. Tsuchiya K., Kawatani M., Takeshige C., Matsumoto I. Laser irradiation abates neuronal responses to nociceptive stimulation of rat-paw skin.. Brain Res. Bull. 1994;34:369–374.
    doi: 10.1016/0361-9230(94)90031-0pubmed: 8082027google scholar: lookup
  34. Gelberman R.H., Manske P.R., Berg J.S.V., Lesker P.A., Akeson W.H. Flexor tendon repairin vitro: A comparative histologic study of the rabbit, chicken, dog, and monkey.. J. Orthop. Res. 1984;2:39–48.
    doi: 10.1002/jor.1100020107pubmed: 6491797google scholar: lookup
  35. Potenza A.D. Tendon healing within the flexor digital sheath in the dog: An experimental study.. Am. J. Orthop. 1962;44:49–64.
    doi: 10.2106/00004623-196244010-00004pubmed: 14038468google scholar: lookup
  36. Lundborg G., Rank F. Experimental studies on cellular mechanisms involved in healing of animal and human flexor tendon in synovial environment.. Hand. 1980;1:3–11.
    doi: 10.1016/S0072-968X(80)80023-4pubmed: 7364325google scholar: lookup
  37. Voleti P., Buckley M.R., Soslowsky L.J. Tendon healing: Repair and regeneration.. Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng. 2012;14:47–71.
    doi: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-071811-150122pubmed: 22809137google scholar: lookup
  38. Manske P.R., Gelberman R.H., A Lesker P. Flexor tendon healing.. Hand Clin. 1985;1:25–34.
    doi: 10.1016/0266-7681(88)90077-0pubmed: 3912393google scholar: lookup
  39. Marcos R.L., Junior E.C.L., Arnold G., Magnenet V., Rahouadj R., Wang X., Demeurie F., Magdalou J., De Carvalho M.H.C., Lopes-Martins R.A. Low-level laser therapy in collagenase-induced Achilles tendinitis in rats: Analyses of biochemical and biomechanical aspects.. J. Orthop. Res. 2012;30:1945–1951.
    doi: 10.1002/jor.22156pubmed: 22674405google scholar: lookup
  40. Notarnicola A., Maccagnano G., Silvio T., Forcignanò M.I., Panella A., Moretti B. CHELT therapy in the treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy.. Lasers Med. Sci. 2013;29:1217–1225.
    doi: 10.1007/s10103-013-1510-3pubmed: 24352875google scholar: lookup
  41. Evangelos N.P.T., Anorthosis P.T., Dimitrios S. Treatment of chronic patellar tendinopathy using an exercise program consisting of eccentric training and static stretching exercises combined with high intensity light therapy. A pilot study.. MOJ Orthop. Rheumatol. 2018;10:157–161.

Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
  1. Jacobs C, Schnabel LV, Redding Horne C, Tufts S, Martin EGM, Love K. Postoperative management following equine orthopedic surgery: a survey of diplomates of the ACVS and ACVSMR. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1708401.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1708401pubmed: 41427135google scholar: lookup
  2. Khazayee V, Emamjomeh E, Paryani M. The Effect of Early Initiation of Physiotherapy on the Functional Recovery of Dogs That Underwent Femoral Head Ostectomy. Vet Med Sci 2025 Mar;11(2):e70223.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.70223pubmed: 39912883google scholar: lookup
  3. Reis IL, Lopes B, Sousa P, Sousa AC, Caseiro AR, Mendonça CM, Santos JM, Atayde LM, Alvites RD, Maurício AC. Equine Musculoskeletal Pathologies: Clinical Approaches and Therapeutical Perspectives-A Review. Vet Sci 2024 Apr 26;11(5).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11050190pubmed: 38787162google scholar: lookup
  4. Soltanfar A, Meimandi Parizi A, Foad-Noorbakhsh M, Sayyari M, Iraji A. The healing effects of thymoquinone on experimentally induced traumatic tendinopathy in rabbits. J Orthop Surg Res 2023 Mar 23;18(1):233.
    doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-03706-8pubmed: 36949516google scholar: lookup
  5. Zielińska P, Soroko-Dubrovina M, Dudek K, Ruzhanova-Gospodinova IS. A Preliminary Study of the Influence of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on Skin Surface Temperature and Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Tone Changes in Thoroughbred Racehorses with Back Pain. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 22;13(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13050794pubmed: 36899651google scholar: lookup
  6. Millis DL, Bergh A. A Systematic Literature Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Laser Therapy. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13040667pubmed: 36830454google scholar: lookup
  7. Walters R, Kasik J, Ettel C, Ortiz R. Evaluation of Sustained Acoustic Medicine for Treating Musculoskeletal Injuries in Military and Sports Medicine. Open Orthop J 2022;16.
    doi: 10.2174/18743250-v16-e221130-2022-8pubmed: 36694709google scholar: lookup
  8. Zielińska P, Soroko-Dubrovina M, Śniegucka K, Dudek K, Čebulj-Kadunc N. Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on Skin Surface Temperature and Vein Diameter in Healthy Racehorses with Clipped and Non-Clipped Coat. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 6;13(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13020216pubmed: 36670756google scholar: lookup
  9. Szabo DA, Neagu N, Teodorescu S, Predescu C, Sopa IS, Panait L. TECAR Therapy Associated with High-Intensity Laser Therapy (Hilt) and Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Muscle Disorders: A Literature Review on the Theorised Effects Supporting Their Use. J Clin Med 2022 Oct 19;11(20).
    doi: 10.3390/jcm11206149pubmed: 36294470google scholar: lookup
  10. Zielińska P, Soroko M, Godlewska M, Śniegucka K, Dudek K, Howell K. Photothermal Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy on the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Area in Clinically Healthy Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 12;12(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12101253pubmed: 35625098google scholar: lookup
  11. Zielińska P, Soroko M, Howell K, Godlewska M, Hildebrand W, Dudek K. 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. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 30;11(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11071965pubmed: 34209183google scholar: lookup
  12. Huang Y, Gao D. The effectiveness of high intensity laser therapy in the patients with lumbar disc herniation: A protocol of randomized placebo-controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Oct 9;99(41):e22520.
    doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000022520pubmed: 33031293google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.