Effect of pulsed high intensity Nd:YAG laser in treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcer

A. A. Ebid, A. A. Thabet, O. F. Helal
Energy for Health [07], 2011

Delayed wound healing specially in diabetic ulcer is continuing challenge in rehabilitation medicine despite some recent advances in understanding of its basic principles and problems in wound healing that continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Pulsed High Intensity Nd:YAG Laser in the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcer (Deep Ulcer grade 2) and suggest laser protocol for wound healing. Forty patients suffering for chronic diabetic foot ulcer as a complication of diabetes mellitus, aged 40-70 years (mean age 58.17±9.83), were included. Patients were randomized for treatment in two groups. In the group A (HIL T group), twenty patients received 24 session of pulsed high intensity Nd:YAG laser according to designed protocol, 3 times per week in addition to standard medical treatment which is given for diabetic foot patients. In the group B (Standard Medical Therapy Group), twenty patients received standard medical treatment for 24 sessions, three times per week. The result of this study revealed that there was statistical significant reduction in wound surface area for group (A) after 12 and 24 sessions. The results have demonstrated the objective effect of pulsed high intensity Nd:YAG laser in treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcer. Therefore, pulsed high intensity Nd:YAG laser is effective, innovative, non invasive, non expensive and can be used as a new trend physical therapy modality in the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcer.