Does LLLT improve radiographic healing for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture undergoing TPLO surgery?

PICO QUESTION: In canine patients undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery for unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR), is LLLT (low-level laser therapy (less than 200 mw)) treatment effective at reducing time to radiographic bone healing compared to no LLLT treatment?

CATEGORY OF RESEARCH: Treatment.

NUMBER AND TYPE OF STUDY DESIGNS REVIEWED: Three studies (study 1: randomised, blinded, prospective clinical study, study 2: randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial and study 3: randomised controlled trial).

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Weak.

OUTCOMES REPORTED: In all three studies the authors compared the use of LLLT to a control and concluded that LLLT treatment did not make a significant difference in improving radiographic bone healing. Therefore, the evidence which suggests LLLT improves radiographic bone healing in dogs recovering from TPLO surgery is weak.

CONCLUSION

There is a lack of conclusive evidence surrounding the use of LLLT treatment in dogs who underwent TPLO surgery. Based on current data it is difficult to say whether LLLT is beneficial and this demonstrates the requirement for further study to truthfully determine whether the laser device is effective for radiographic bone healing. One of three studies suggests that LLLT is beneficial to canine patients undergoing TPLO surgery for CCLR, radiographic bone healing in dogs was not the focus of that review.