The article presents results of high power laser therapy unit Polaris HP S18W usage in case study of one of the professional volleyball players.
One of the players of PGE Skra Bełchatów underwent the high power laser therapy. He had chronic enthesopathy of the patellar ligament. His earlier conservative treatment did not bring about any distinct improvement; despite physiotherapy and individual training programme, pain was not reduced.
Imaging examination
The ultrasound examination showed small hypoechoic foci corresponding to BTB enthesopathy. Locally, there were signs of calcinosis with a typical absence of echo. Lesions covered 1/3 of the ligament width at the attachment to the kneecap. That was a typical image of the jumper’s knee.
Therapy
Sessions were performed twice a day for six days, in the patellar ligament and attachment to the tibial bone.
Parameters to wavelengths of 808 nm and 980 nm:
- Power [W]: 4 – 5 W
- Frequency [Hz]: 400 – 700 Hz
- Radiation mode: Pulse
- Fill factor [%]: 60%
- Dose [J/cm2]: 30 J/cm2
- Application adapter: 5 cm2
Polaris HP high power laser therapy unit
Furthermore, once a day trigger points of the kneecap and quadriceps were irradiated.
Parameters to wavelengths of 808 nm and 980 nm:
- Power [W]: 2 – 4 W
- Radiation mode: Continuous
- Dose [J/cm2]: 10 J/cm2
- Application adapter: 1 cm2
Pain was reduced considerably after that period. Then, the sessions were performed once a day for ten days in the same areas.
Parameters to wavelengths of 808 nm and 980 nm:
- Power [W]: 6 – 8 W
- Frequency [Hz]: 800 Hz – Continuous
- Radiation mode: Pulse – Continuous
- Fill factor [%]: 80% – Continuous
- Dose [J/cm2]: 80 – 100 J/cm2
- Application adapter: 1 cm2
Every other day, the trigger points of the quadriceps were irradiated.
Parameters to wavelengths of 808 nm and 980 nm:
- Power [W]: 4 -5 W
- Radiation mode: Continuous
- Dose [J/cm2]: 10 – 20 J/cm2
- Application adapter: DILA
Result of the therapy
After three weeks of the therapy, symptoms subsided (pain, inflammation). The ultrasound image showed a distinct improvement in the number of hypoechoic foci. The lesion sites became reduced to 1/4 of the ligament without the signs of breaking the BTB continuity.