Does laser irradiation effect fracture healing?

Tibial fractures were created in rats. In half the animals the fractures were irradiated with laser and in the other animals sham radiation only. Fracture union was assessed radiologically, histologically and biomechanically. Though histologically laser irradiation was thought to induce a slight delay in fracture union mechanical testing showed no convincing effect of this form of physical therapy. Though there remains a place for treating recalcitrant wounds and stiff joints in association with compound fractures in this way there is no evidence that the strength of the underlying fracture will be enhanced - at least not with the type of laser irradiation evaluated.