High intensity laser therapy in the treatment of tendinopathy: a brief narrative review and update of current literature

Tendinopathy is a pathology characterized by an inflammatory and a degenerative component; therefore, conservative treatment could manage both components. Among these therapies, laser therapy is indicated. In the last ten years there has been an emerging interest in applying high intensity laser therapy in the management of this clinical feature. The clinical studies published to date on the application of high intensity laser therapy in different pathological models of tendinopathy, from shoulder impingement syndrome to epicondylitis, from plantar fasciitis to Achilles tendinopathy, have so far highlighted the therapeutic efficacy of this method. The possibility emerges of modulating the choice of wavelengths in order to adjust the treatment in relation to the expected biological effects. Some studies demonstrate the safety of the treatment and the possibility of increasing the energy administered, in absolute safety, to obtain better tissue bio-stimulation effects. However, the protocols should be integrated with a rehabilitation process, to obtain a better functional recovery of the area. Further studies and systematic reviews will make it possible to verify the most suitable protocols for each pathological district and in relation to the more inflammatory or more degenerative phase of the tendinopathy. High-energy laser treatment is a valid therapeutic option in patients suffering from tendinopathy, resulting in improvement of pain, functional recovery, and good compliance.