Hilterapia^® - High intensity laser therapy in the treatment of severe tendon and ligament injuries

J. Gabrhel, Z. Popracová, H. Tauchmannová, M. Nemšák
Energy for Health [13], 2014

Laser radiation is absorbed in metabolically active chromophores located in tissue and inside the cells. Photothermal interaction at the tissue level is controlled especially by absorption by target molecules. Temperature changes over time depend on the method used to transfer laser energy to the tissues and especially on the duration and energy of the pulses. The emission of Nd:YAG (neodymiumdoped yttrium aluminium garnet) laser has a wavelength of 1064 nm, that is weakly absorbed by natural chromophores of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. That is why it is able to penetrate deeply in the tissues. Pulses with peak power up to 3000 W, with a duration of approx. 90-120 μs, do not cause any damage to cells because the interval between the pulses lasts long enough for heat dissipation, avoiding harmful effects. This report describes the results of a pilot study on a set of 7 patients affected by severe tendon and ligament injuries. The treatment consisted in two sessions of Hilterapia^® per week, with a total number of 12-24 sessions. The purpose of the work was to objectify the effect of Hilterapia^® in the treatment of severe tendon and ligament lesions by assessment of thermal parameter changes as recorded by thermovision, structural changes detected by musculoskeletal sonography, degree of pain using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and musculoskeletal changes before and after the series of Hilterapia^® sessions. The results showed that Hilterapia^® promoted normalisation of temperature patterns in most cases, reparation of tendon and ligament structures in all cases, reduction of pain and the improved musculoskeletal condition in all cases.