RASHA SAID SHAMS EL-DINE*^#, S.A. ABD EL-KAREAM**

*Medical Biophysics Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt
**Applied Medical Chemistry Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of therapeutic laser energy on the repair of Achilles tendons in rats. The experiments were done on rats. Using an appropriate surgery, a sharp transverse cut was done on the Achilles tendons of the animals. Wound was treated with 650 nm diode laser at a dose of 9 J/cm2 for a week until the wound healed completely. The treatment of injured animals was done by YAG solid laser 650 nm (150 mW power) or by classical surgery. The irradiation with laser was given for 1 min daily for one week. The tendons were tested for the biomechanical index of healing. There was a significant effect of laser energy on the index of healing, the maximum strain is higher in the healing groups than in the control (the value for the laser treated group being the highest), and the Young modulus is higher in both of healing groups comparing with the control. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) measurements, it was found that rats receiving laser therapy showed marked increase in collagen production, which probably improved the mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon.

Corresponding author’s e-mail: rasha_shams17@yahoo.com

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