Infected wound after chip surgery – practical example of complementary laser therapy
Below, we describe a single case study, documented by us, of the complementary use of the pulsed diode therapy laser for an infected wound. This case study does not constitute a scientific study and does not allow for any general conclusions regarding its effectiveness. The example is the protracted ordeal of a horse that suffered from infections in its wound following chip surgery . Laser therapy was used here as a supplement to veterinary treatment.
The so-called “chips” are not implanted microchips. As horses grow, tiny bone chips can occur in the area of the joints . These splinters are called chips and can sometimes migrate in the joint, causing severe pain or inflammation. In fact, complaints often only appear in adulthood and only then lead to the discovery of the splinters. It was the same with this horse.
Chip removal and treatment of the resulting inflammation
The mare in question initially attracted attention due to severe lameness . Since the condition persisted, a scintigraphy was done at the animal hospital. The initial diagnosis was massive bone trauma to the heel bone. The bone trauma was treated in the clinic with shock wave therapy. However, the scintigraphy also led to the discovery of a chip , which was removed directly.
This is where the real story of suffering began, as germs remained in the surgical wound. The infection spread and manifested itself in severe swelling and large areas of inflamed skin . A four-month pit rest did nothing to improve the situation.
Other treatment approaches by various veterinarians included the injection of hyaluronic acid and bisphosphonates – with only short-term success – and re -shoeing of the rear hooves. The horse was prescribed light exercise , which only slightly improved the situation. At this point, the owner decided to consult a therapist who offers laser therapy .
Supplementary use of the pulsed diode therapy laser
Laser therapy with the pulsed diode therapy laser is also called laser acupuncture because it targets the same acupuncture points as the classic method with needles. The therapy laser is non-invasive and generally well-tolerated, as it sends focused pulses of light into the treated tissue. Whether and to what extent this influences cellular processes has not been scientifically proven.
After four weeks of supplementary laser therapy , the inflammation had practically disappeared – only slight swelling remained, which also subsided within a few weeks. The horse was able to move freely again. Since the laser therapy was used in addition to veterinary treatments (including shockwave therapy, injections, and adjusted shoeing), the healing process cannot be definitively attributed to any single treatment. There is no scientific evidence for an accelerating or healing-promoting effect of laser therapy; the described course of events is an individual case and does not constitute a general statement about its effectiveness.
Note: This is a description of a single case study documented by us. Individual cases are not representative of other animals and do not allow for conclusions to be drawn about the general, scientifically proven effectiveness of laser therapy. The described application does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
Photo from winter 2018 after chip surgery, skin was extremely inflamed
Spring 2019 Skin has healed but the leg is still too fat
Photo of my leg after four weeks of therapy at the Katharinenhof
Photo of the leg after eight weeks at home
document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); powered by Webdesign Schwarzer-Knick.de