The article presents second case of the effects of high power laser therapy unit Polaris HP on bone union in fracture of the metacarpal bone in a horse.
Patient’s details:
- Species: horse
- Breed: Polish half bred horse
- Sex: gelding
- Age: 12 years old
- Horse entering dressage competitions
Medical history:
The therapy was given to a 12-year-old gelding with a fresh distal fracture of the second metacarpal bone in the right thoracic limb. The horse exhibited minor support lameness and the affected area exhibited painful inflammatory oedema and great pain on pressuring against that area. X-ray in the lateral and oblique projections was made. The X-ray image confirmed the distal fracture, most probably of a fatigue type, of the splint bone.
Treatment:
Conservative treatment was undertaken and it involved the exclusion of the horse from training for six weeks. To reduce oedema and inflammation, for the first five days after the injury cold therapy was given (cold compresses and hydrotherapy). Then, heating compresses improving blood flow, applied for the night-time, were given concurrently with the high power laser therapy.
High power laser therapy:
The mare underwent a series of ten irradiations with the Polaris HP high power laser at one-day intervals.
Parameters of the sessions for wavelengths of 808 nm and 980 nm:
- Power (W):2 – 4
- Frequenncy (Hz): 500 – 800
- Radiation mode: Pulse
- Duty factor (%): 50 – 80
- Dose: (J/cm2): 10 – 50
The time that has passed from the injury to the first session was nine days. The horse underwent a series of ten irradiations. The sessions were carried out every day for ten days with a dynamic technique, moving the probe (1 cm pad) slowly across the affected area (gap of the fracture and oedema site); furthermore, the movement of the horse was limited, both the free movement in the paddock and saddled.
Analgesic and anti-oedematous effects of the high power laser therapy were observed even during the therapy.
After the series of the sessions ended, the follow-up X-ray of the affected area in various projections was made. Bone forming proceeded properly and astonishingly fast and bone scar had a smooth surface. Owing to the intensification of cell metabolism by the high power laser, cell proliferation took place, which led to the quick formation of a strong scar bony tissue. The use of the Polaris HP laser helped considerably to heal the bones of the second metacarpus in the right thoracic limb and allowed for avoiding a surgical procedure.
