Equine wound healing: influence of low level laser therapy on an equine metacarpal wound healing model

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Low Level Laser Therapy in Equine Wound Healing Cutaneous wounds in horses present a significant clinical challenge due to prolonged healing times and complications such as proud flesh formation. This experimental study evaluated whether low level laser therapy (LLLT)—a non-invasive modality using low-power laser light to stimulate tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation—could accelerate healing of full-thickness skin wounds in an equine model. Eight healthy horses received standardised 2.5 cm square wounds to the mid-metacarpal region; wounds on one limb were treated with LLLT (635 nm wavelength, 17 mW per diode) whilst contralateral limbs served as untreated controls, with wound measurements recorded over 80 days and tissue samples examined histologically. LLLT-treated wounds demonstrated measurably faster healing rates compared to control wounds, suggesting that this modality may accelerate the normal wound healing cascade. For equine practitioners managing traumatic or surgical wounds—particularly in regions prone to complications—LLLT warrants consideration as an adjunctive therapy, though further investigation into optimal dosing protocols, treatment frequency, and long-term cosmetic outcomes would strengthen clinical recommendations.

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Key Findings

• •Low level laser therapy (635 nm, 17 mW) accelerated healing rate of full thickness skin wounds compared to untreated control wounds over 80-day observation period
• •LLLT application demonstrated faster wound closure in experimental group versus control limbs in the same horses

Conditions Studied