LASER TREATMENT CASE STUDIES

CASE STUDY 1: Holy

The following photographs were taken of a 3 year old filly that ran into a gate. Because of the location of the injury it was not able to be stitched. She had daily laser treatments for the first 5 days then was treated 3 times a week until it healed at day 28 post injury.

Day 3 — The wound was big and open, a tear in the muscle was also noticed, and it was very painful for her to move.	Day 13 — By now the wound had formed new tissue and was starting to dry out and contract inwards. The filly was moving around freely and there was no sign of proud flesh formation.
Day 21 — The healing was nearly complete with only a small area still visible.	Week 5 — This photo was taken at week 5 to show how un-noticable the wound is. The wound was completely healed at day 28 but no photo was taken.

CASE STUDY 2: Eagles

Eagles is a 3 year old standard bred filly. Her injury was sustained whilst fast working on the track. She ended up straddling the 1m high fence (next to the gateway), with her front legs on one side and her back legs on the other side with the sulky.

Her injuries were; numerous cuts and bruises on all four legs, and in particular a large laceration on her off front forearm. The local vet was called and he first stitched the muscle back together then stitched the wound. Anti-biotics and an anti-inflammatory were administered. Eagles was confined to box rest.

Day 3 — Laser therapy was started at day 3 post injury and she was treated for 5 days then 3 times a week until the wound had healed.	Day 10 — Not a great photo but it does show how the stitiches had burst by day 7. This happened due to the swelling associated with the type of injury.	Day 15 — Again not a very good photo but it does show the extent of the injury. All the stiches had burst and the wound was weeping pus. However, the swelling had gone down, and the filly was tolerating the laser probe being placed on and inside the wound.
Day 24 — Only 9 days after the previous photo, you can already see a remarkable change in the injury. The wound was drying out with less puss formation and eagles was now walking comfortably. Eagles had been returned to the paddock at Day 21, which also improved circulation, essential for good wound healing.	Day 30 — The wound was now half the size and good tissue formation was evident. Hair had even started to grow back around the already knitted scar lines. Eagles was now in the paddock full time and completely sound.

CASE STUDY 3: Alex

This 2 yr old standard bred filly curbed her right hock whilst in a pipe yard overnight. I was fortunate enough to be at the racing stable the morning that it was discovered. She was extremely lame and the hock was swollen. Along with the usual "curb" swelling there was also swelling and heat in the front of the hock joint, suggesting she may have injured the hock joint as well.

Day 0 — The horse was lame and hock was swollen and hot. I treated her for 5 days consecutively, after the third day there was noticeable improvement in the swelling and she was comfortable at walk.

Day 5 — Most of the swelling had gone and she was now trotting round the paddock with only the slightest hint of lameness. And the trainer was pleased with the result.