Clinical Effectiveness of Low Level Laser Therapy to Increase Healing and
Decrease Pain Associated With Recovery from TLPO Surgery in Dogs
The
Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory is conducting a clinical
trial involving the use of low level laser therapy to decrease pain and
increase bone healing associated with post-operative recovery from TPLO
surgery. This treatment has a good chance of reducing the amount of pain
a dog may experience while recovering from TPLO surgery, it is
non-invasive no side effects are anticipated. Low-Level Laser therapy
(LLLT) is the use of low intensity photonic energy (light generated
energy) as a treatment source. The photonic stimuli excite the body’s
cells fortifying the cells with energy. The direct reaction from the
photo-stimulated cells are: reduction of inflammation, cell regeneration
and increased blood flow.
Initial screening will determine eligibility into the study. Dogs
will undergo a comprehensive physical exam, including a complete medical
history, a physical exam and lameness evaluation, blood sampling and
urinalysis. The study will run 8 weeks, and will involve bi-weekly pain
evaluations completed by the owner. Once a dog is determined to be
eligible for the study, each dog will be fit with either a collar or
harness with an accelerometer attached. The accelerometer device will
help us determine daily activity level, therefore the dog will have to
wear the device at all times. Each dog will need to wear the
accelerometer for 14 days before the scheduled TPLO surgery. During the
study the dog will receive 11 LLLT treatments while he/she is in the
hospital. Dogs will be boarded at no cost in the hospital for a total of
4 days after surgery to complete the in-house LLLT treatment and will be
sent home with the laser device for once daily LLLT treatments every
other day to be completed by the same person of the household for the 4
weeks post TPLO surgery. Check-up appointments will occur bi-monthly in
Pullman, WA at the WSU Veterinary Hospital. The initial visit will
involve baseline force plate analysis, physical exam, and synovial joint
fluid sampling. The synovial joint fluid sampling will involve sedation.
We will collect synovial joint samples at 3 time points: week 2, week 4,
and week 8. At each of the appointments dogs will also have radiographs,
physical exam and force plate evaluation. If any of the enrolled dogs
require additional pain medications during the study, the dog will exit
the study and appropriate therapy will be instituted.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must weigh between 35lbs and 125lbs
- Must exhibit good health as shown by blood and
urinalysis results
- Dog must be a patient of WSU Veterinary Teaching
Hospital and plan to undergo TPLO arthroscopic surgery
- Dog must be off all corticosteroids for 30 days
prior to enrollment
- Dog cannot be pregnant
- Has no complicating disease conditions pertaining to
the liver, kidney, or GI tract
- Does not have an intolerance to any of the sedation
materials used in the study
- Has no other disease state, medical condition, or
behavioral aggression which would interfere with the
dog’s ability to complete the trial or to be evaluated.
- Does not have a history of intolerance to
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Financial Incentives
- Upon completion of study there will be a $1000
compensation
- Initial blood work, 3 re-check examinations-which
include radiographs will be at no cost
Contact Information
Ms. Nicole Hagemeyer,
CORL
Supervisor at (800)-498-9459, (509) 335-7747,
nhagemeyer@vetmed.wsu.edu for
more information and appointment scheduling.
