Since 2012, there has finally been a clinical study on the promotion of wound healing by LLLT in difficult-to-heal wounds. The LLLT is already used in some wound competence centers in addition to standard therapy, but is still often considered controversial because it is only legitimized by many years of experience (see also the e studies of the Wound Center of the Academic Teaching Hospital of the LMU Munich/Schwabing by A. Süß-Burghart, M. Füchtenbusch, A. Füchtenbusch) and the Wound Competence Center Linz/ Kammerlander).
Diabetic foot
ulcers are severe complications in diabetes mellitus and very often
difficult to treat with standard wound therapy. The healing process
stagnates in the inflammatory stage and it has not yet been researched
why it does not heal despite systemic antibiotic treatment, optimal
glycaemic control and consistent pressure relief.
It is estimated
that more than 150 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes
mellitus and that this number will double by 2025. About 15% of those
affected develop a foot ulcer and 6-40% of them have to undergo
amputation (National diabetes fact sheet: general information and
national estimates on diabetes in the United States, 2002. Atlanta: US
Dept of Health and Human Services; 2002.).
The randomized, controlled study was conducted over a period of 2 years (2008-2010) with 68 patients, all already approved for surgery.
Patients in the study group received regular LLLT in addition to standard wound therapy. The wounds of these patients contracted significantly better than those of the control group.
Source
Efficacy of Low Level Laser Therapy on Wound Healing in Patients with Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers?A Randomised Control Trial
Basavaraj M. Kajagar, Ashok S. Godhi, Archit Pandit, and S. Khatri
Indian J Surg. 2012 oct; 74(5); 359-363