LASER THERAPY FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS

 GENERAL INFORMATION

Understand that treatment of arthritis is not curative.  Helping your arthritic pet requires a comprehensive management plan. Laser therapy treatment is a part of the overall management plan, adding significant reduction of pain and inflammation.  For laser therapy to succeed, the right areas have to be treated.  A complete orthopedic exam, including evaluation of range of motion and appropriate radiographs when needed, establishes which joint areas require treatment.  We will treat the affected joints as well as all tissues biomechanically involved with the joints since chronic arthritis results in pain and inflammation in the muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue associated with the joint.   

WHAT ABOUT MEDICATION?

Patients undergoing initial evaluation for arthritis management that are not on medication for arthritis begin laser therapy without starting medication.  After response to laser therapy has been noted, and a maintenance schedule established, if additional relief is needed, then medications are added to the management plan.  Patients already on arthritis medication begin laser therapy without any change in medication during initial laser therapy.  Once response to laser therapy has been noted, medications can be adjusted (frequently reduced) as a maintenance schedule is established.

HOW WILL TREATMENTS BE SCHEDULED?

Osteoarthritis is treated through an Induction Phase of every other day (three times a week) treatments until response is noted, followed by a Transition Phase of reduced frequency treatments, leading to a Maintenance Phase of treatments on a frequency required to maintain effect.  Most patients will show some improvement within 3-4 treatments during the Induction Phase. This initial response is due to the quick pain relieving effect of the therapy laser.  Other patients require more treatments before improvement is noted.  Six Induction Phase treatments is average; some patients may require as many as 9-12. If your pet does not respond within 12 Induction Phase treatments, the diagnosis and areas being treated will be re-evaluated.  Only about 5% of patients will show no response to laser therapy.   As treatments continue there is a cumulative long term reduction of inflammation allowing transition to the maintenance phase.   Most patients will require Maintenance Phase treatments every 3-4 weeks to maintain effect.

ARE THERE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS FROM TREATMENT?

Some patients will display increased soreness after the first 1-2 treatments.  This is a result of vasodilation in the target tissues and subsides quickly without intervention.  If you notice this please do not be alarmed; it will subside after several treatments.