Photobiomodulation therapy in dogs undergoing TPLO after cranial cruciate ligament rupture shows promise but no statistically significant difference in a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Effect of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in patients with CCLR after TPLO surgery by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP), percentage weight bearing, lameness using a short form of a composite measure pain scale, evaluated by the clinician and owners, and surgical site infection. SAMPLE: 54 client-owned dogs with CCLR undergoing unilateral TPLO surgery were enrolled in this study between April 5, 2021, through April 10, 2022. METHODS: The study population was randomly assigned to either a treatment group receiving PMBT (24 dogs) or a control group (30 dogs). PMBT was performed on the treatment group immediately after induction, and 6 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 8 weeks postoperatively. The control group received sham PMBT (device turned off) at the same time. Evaluation of CRP, CMPS-SF, evidence of SSI, and %WB were evaluated for all dogs 24 hours preoperatively, and then 24 hours, 48 hours, and 8 weeks postoperatively. Owners completed CMPS-SF and subjective evaluations weekly for 8 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between treatment groups when evaluating CRP, %WB, and CMPS-SF by the clinician and weekly evaluation of the CMPS-SF by owners. Although no statistically significant differences were found in patients developing surgical site infections between treatment groups, SSI was only observed in patients in the control group (5/30, 16.6%). Most were minor/superficial infections (4/30 13.3%), and a single dog (1/30, 3.3%) had a major/deep surgical site infection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although with promising but not statistically significant differences between groups, surgical site infections may be reduced after PBMT application.

Low-Intensity Electrical Stimulation to Improve the Neurological Aspect of Weakness in Individuals with Chronic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Lesion.

PURPOSE: This study is aimed at investigating the effect of low-intensity electrical stimulation on the voluntary activation level (VA) and the cortical facilitation/inhibition of quadriceps in people with chronic anterior cruciate ligament lesion. METHODS: Twenty former athletes with unilateral ACL deficiencies (ACL group) and 20 healthy subjects (healthy control group) participated in the study. The quadriceps VA level, motor-evoked potential (MEP), short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and intracortical facilitation (ICF) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation were tested before and after 30 minutes of low-intensity electrical stimulation (ES). RESULTS: Before ES, the quadriceps VA in the ACL lesion legs of the ACL group was lower compared to the legs of the healthy control group (P < 0.05). The MEP sizes in the ACL lesion legs and the healthy control were not significantly different. The ACL lesion legs showed lower SICI and higher ICF compared to the healthy control group (P < 0.05). After ES, the quadriceps VA level increased and the SICI-ICF was modulated only in the ACL lesion legs (P < 0.05) but not in the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Low-intensity ES can normalize the modulation of intracortical inhibition and facilitation, thereby ameliorating the activation failure in individuals with ACL lesion.

Preoperative low level laser therapy in dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy: A blinded, prospective, randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of preoperative low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on therapeutic outcomes of dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO). METHODS: Healthy dogs undergoing TPLO were randomly assigned to receive either a single preoperative LLLT treatment (800-900 nm dual wavelength, 6 W, 3.5 J/cm2, 100 cm2 area) or a sham treatment. Lameness assessment and response to manipulation, as well as force plate analysis, were performed preoperatively, then again at 24 hours, two weeks, and eight weeks postoperatively. Radiographic signs of healing of the osteo-tomy were assessed at eight weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty-seven dogs (27 stifles) were included and no major complications occurred. At eight weeks postoperatively, a significant difference in peak vertical force analysis was noted between the LLLT (39.6% ± 4.7%) and sham groups (28.9% ± 2.6%), (p <0.01 Time, p <0.01 L). There were no significant differences noted between groups for all other parameters. The age of dogs in the LLLT group (6.6 ± 1.6 years) was greater than that for the sham group (4.5 ± 2.0, p <0.01). Although not significant, a greater proportion of LLLT dogs (5/8) had healed at the eight-week time point than in the sham group (3/12) despite the age difference (p = 0.11) Clinical significance: The results of this study demonstrate that improved peak vertical force could be related to the preoperative use of LLLT for dogs undergoing TPLO at eight weeks postoperatively. The use of LLLT may improve postoperative return to function following canine osteotomies and its use is recommended.