In dogs, is concurrent laser treatment more effective at treating osteoarthritis compared to NSAIDs alone?

Published:

2025-10-20

Share
Open Access Logo

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v10i4.719

Abstract

Question

In dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) is concurrent laser treatment more effective than non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) in reducing the severity of clinical signs associated with OA?

 

Clinical bottom line

Category of research:

Treatment.

Number and type of study designs reviewed:

One randomised controlled trial.

Strength of evidence:

Weak.

Outcomes reported:

The study showed that laser therapy significantly improved the Helsinki pain score, reduced the NSAID dose and improved the lameness score compared to the control group whose lameness scores did not improve at all.

Conclusion:

It is suggested that laser therapy may be effective at reducing clinical signs of osteoarthritis (OA) and therefore reducing the requirement for higher non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) doses. However, due to the power of the evidence being weak and limited, further clinical studies would be needed to confirm results and conclude whether laser treatment is superior to NSAID treatment.

References

Chen, Y. & Chi, C. (2023). Levels of evidence and study designs: A brief introduction to dermato-epidemiologic research methodology. Dermatologica Sinica. 41(4), 199–205. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ds.DS-D-23-00159

Lascelles, B.D.X., Gaynor, J.S., Smith, E.S., Roe, S.C., Marcellin-Little, D.J., Davidson, G., Boland, E. & Carr, J. (2008). Amantadine in a Multimodal Analgesic Regimen for Alleviation of Refractory Osteoarthritis Pain in Dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 22(1), 53–59. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.0014.x

Looney, A., Huntingford, J., Blaeser, L. & Mann, S. (2018). A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on canine elbow osteoarthritis. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 59(9), 959–966.

Millis, D. (2021). Multimodal Pain Management for Canine Osteoarthritis. Today’s Veterinary Practice. 11(5). Available at: https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/pain_management/multimodal-pain-management-for-canine-osteoarthritis/ [Accessed 17/06/2024].

Magni, A., Agostoni, P., Bonezzi, C., Massazza, G., Menè, P., Savarino, V. & Fornasari, D. (2021). Management of Osteoarthritis: Expert Opinion on NSAIDs. Pain and Therapy. 10, 783–808. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-021-00260-1

Nüesch, E., Trelle, S., Reichenbach, S., Rutjes, A.W.S., Tschannen, B., Altman, D.G., Egger, M. & Jüni, P. (2010). Small study effects in meta-analyses of osteoarthritis trials: meta-epidemiological study. British Medical Journal. 341, c3515. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c3515

Pye, C., Bruniges, N., Peffers, M. & Comerford, E. (2022). Advances in the pharmaceutical treatment options for canine osteoarthritis. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 63(10), 721–738. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13495

Thoene, M., Bejer-Olenska, E. & Wojtkiewicz, J. (2023). The Current State of Treatment Options Using Stem Cells for Regenerative Therapy: A Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 24(10), 8925. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108925

Walton, M.B., Cowderoy, E., Lascelles, D. & Innes, J.F. (2013). Evaluation of Construct and Criterion Validity for the ‘Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs’ (LOAD) Clinical Metrology Instrument and Comparison to Two Other Instruments. PLoS One. 8(3), e58125. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0058125

Voss, K., Imhof, J., Kaestner, S. & Montavon, P.M. (2007). Force plate gait analysis at the walk and trot in dogs with low-grade hindlimb lameness. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedic and Traumatology. 20(4), 299–304. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1160/vcot-07-01-0008