Therapeutic Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Pain and Disability of Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Masoume Masoumipour; Mehdi Salehi Barough; Seyed Behnamedin Jameie; Abbas Majdabadi; Narges Hosseinitabatabaei; Babak Babakhani

doi:10.1007/s43465-024-01099-2

Therapeutic Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Pain and Disability of Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Indian J Orthop. 2024 Feb 19;58(4):417-423. doi: 10.1007/s43465-024-01099-2. eCollection 2024 Apr.

Authors

Masoume Masoumipour^{1

2}, Mehdi Salehi Barough^{1

2}, Seyed Behnamedin Jameie^{3

4}, Abbas Majdabadi⁵, Narges Hosseinitabatabaei⁶, Babak Babakhani⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Radiation Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
² Medical Radiation Research Center, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
³ Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ Neuroscience Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁵ Department of Laser Research Center of Dentistry, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁶ Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

PMID: 38544539
PMCID: PMC10963664 (available on 2025-02-19)
DOI: 10.1007/s43465-024-01099-2

Abstract

Purpose: This study intended to evaluate the effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). FBSS refers to symptoms and disabilities which remain or occur after lumbar spinal surgery. Prevalent treatments for FBSS are based mostly on conservative management while LLLT has gained significant interest in the treatment of a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods: In the present study, the authors included 50 individuals with FBSS. Target points were determined by an ultrasonic study including bilateral L₂-L₃ through L₅-S₁ facet joints, sacroiliac joints, and the region immediately above bilateral supra crestal iliac bones representing cluneal nerves. LLLT was performed three times a week for 3 weeks. A near-infrared laser (wavelength 808 nm, power 500 mw) was used in continuous mode for laser therapy sessions. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were registered before treatment and after last treatment session, 1 month and 6 months later, respectively.

Results: NRS and ODI were significantly improved after treatment, as well as therapeutic effects, after 1 month and 6 months were also evident and comparison of the NRS and ODI showed significant difference.

Conclusion: LLLT has a positive impact on pain and disability in patients with FBSS.

Keywords: Failed back surgery syndrome; Low-level laser therapy; Numeric rating scale; Oswestry disability index.

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