TREATMENT OF ACHILLES TENDINITIS WITH
CLASS IV INFRARED (980 NM) THERAPEUTIC LASER
https://www.aspenlaseru.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Achilles-Tendinitis.pdf
OBJECTIVE:
To describe the clinical management of Achilles tendinitis by using a “high-power” Class IV therapeutic laser.
CLINICAL FEATURES:
This is a case of a fifty-eight year old woman, 5’4”, 155 lbs., presenting with bilateral Achilles tendon pain, the left foot for two years, the right for one year. She did not respond to physical therapy or steroid injections. Rest relieved the pain, weight bearing activity increased the pain. There was pain on palpation over her Achilles tendons. She showed decreased ankle dorsiflexion, and displayed genu valgum and foot pronation. Resisted neutral position isometric dorsiflexion and active eccentric dorsiflexion exacerbated the pain. Passive eccentric dorsiflexion did not exacerbate the pain. The patient filled out a VAS describing her “worst” pain, “best” pain, and pain “now.” This was filled out on each visit. The patient was accepted for laser therapy.
INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME:
The laser used was the class IV infrared laser, model AVI HP-7 5, continuous wave (nonpulsing). The laser emits a visible red beam at 635 nm wavelengths, and an infrared laser beam at 980 nm wavelength. The power used was 7.5 watts; the dose was 2250 joules; the area was 15 cm; the energy density was .5 w/cm2; the treatment time was 5 minutes per side and the treatment distance was 2 cm. Treatment distance was ensured by securing the laser wand stylus to maintain the treatment distance.
The stylus was kept in light contact with the patient. A swatch of cotton fabric was placed over the tendon with a 3×5 cm hole cut from it to allow for consistent laser treatment area. One open end was placed over
the Achilles insertion, and extending proximally. The patient showed significant reduction in pain as indicated by the VAS scores, and significant increase in dorsiflexion flexibility as measured after four sessions with a goniometer.
CONCLUSION:
This case demonstrates the potential benefit of conservative management for Achilles tendinitis with the utilization of “high-power” Class IV therapeutic laser technology to decrease the symptoms associated with Achilles tendinitis.
