Effect of low-power He-Ne laser on fracture healing in rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Helium-Neon (He-Ne) laser radiation has been found to accelerate fracture healing in laboratory animal models as well as in cultures of cells involved in this process. We investigated the radiological, biomechanical, and histological effects of He-Ne radiation on fracture healing in a rat model. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two rats underwent bilateral open osteotomies of the tibiae followed by internal fixation with intramedullary wires. The right leg received He-Ne laser radiation of 0, 2, or 4 Joules every other day for 2 to 6 weeks while the left leg served as a control. RESULTS: Radiological and histological examinations of the osteotomy sites failed to show any enhancing effect of He-Ne laser radiation on the bone healing process. Biomechanically, the irradiated bones of two of the six test groups were significantly weaker than the controls. CONCLUSION: These results fail to support the previously reported enhancing effect of He-Ne laser radiation on fracture healing.