Enhanced Healing and Bone re-Modelling by Low-Level Laser Therapy for Rapid Pain Control in Pediatric Fractures

Objective: The current clinical case series assess the clinical outcome of the use of low-level laser in the treatment of painful pediatric fractures not solidly consolidated and re-modelled after casting for a standard of 4-6 weeks Materials and Methods: The patient cohort consisted of 17 consecutive unselected patients in pediatric age group with delayed fracture consolidation and/or undesirable angulation despite casting for a standard period of 4-6 weeks in whom the parents refused any surgical intervention and/or bone grafting options. All subjects were referred from other medical centers after inadequate healing of the fracture ends upon repeating the x ray after the cast was off at the 4-6 weeks mark. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on alternate days for 8weeks in upper limb fracture cases, and 12 weeks in lower limb fracture cases were administered with a view of enhancing bone healing and/or re-modelling since both previous clinical and basic science studies on LLLT showed a stimulatory effect on fracture healing. Results: All patients had solid union, mean time for union for upper and lower limb fractures were 6 and 10 weeks respectively. The calculated p value is statistically significant at p < 0.05. No patient defaulted follow up. All parents were satisfied with the clinical and radiological result of the LLLT treatment. Conclusion: LLLT was found not only to enhance bone healing potential but in fact improved bone re-modelling when used in the proper wavelength and energy density in pediatric upper and lower limbs fractures, thereby also rapidly resolve the intolerable pain in paediatric fracture population