Breakthrough Laser Treatment for Leg Ulcers

- Jill Pellizzon, a Sydney podiatrist with over 25 years’ experience recently introduced a revolutionary new therapy into her practice at The Hills Foot Clinic. It is called MLS^® laser therapy.
  
  While convinced of the science, Jill was still exploring how it would work practically in her clinic.
  
  Then Rita came into her life. Rita had an ulcer that hadn’t healed in 6 months. Chronic pain impacted her daily life.
  
  Rita, is 69 years old and she lives alone on acreage. She looks after the property herself. She has poor peripheral circulation and a history of varicose eczema She survives her husband who she cared for through his decline with Alzheimer’s.
- With a family history of diabetes, she has limited mobility. She uses a walker and a cane. She has long term psoriatic arthritis which is a disease that causes red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are the main signs and symptoms. They can affect any part of the body, and can range from mild to severe. There’s no cure for psoriatic arthritis. Treatment aims at controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can be disabling.[1]
- On top of her arthritis, Rita’s ulcer flared up again in April. She was having terrible leg pain with this ulcer, leaving her unable to walk. She had to sit with her leg raised to get any relief. The community nurse dressed her ulcer bi-weekly. She was taking Endone, a strong opioid medication, to control the pain.[2]

- What are leg ulcers?
  
  Leg ulcers, sometimes called venous leg ulcers, are deep sores in the skin or membranes of the leg that often take a long time to heal. Unlike a graze, which only affects the first few layers of skin, an ulcer means the whole thickness of skin is lost. They are very common, especially among older people.[3]
  
  Ulcers often take a long time to heal — sometimes months — usually because there is poor circulation to the leg. When they do heal, they always leave a scar.
  
  Leg ulcers are the most common wounds in Australia. About 1 or 2 people in every 100 will develop a leg ulcer at some time in their lives.[4]
  
  Wound care for Rita
  
  Rita’s wound eventually became infected. Her doctor got this under control with antibiotics, but the wound was still large. Rita had terrible pain and the ulcer was threatening to worsen. In Rita’s words:
  
  “The home nurse came but the ulcers gradually got worse. I had to go to hospital. They put me on intravenous antibiotics. After seven days I returned home and then the wound clinic nurse came twice a week to dress them and treat them.
  
  They put heavy compression stockings on and my ulcers got worse. I was crying with the pain and the frustration. I couldn’t do anything. I’ve got animals. I would feed the animals, take the Endone, wait for it to kick in and then come inside and just put my legs up. I had no help. I’m on my own.”
  
  Rita’s treatment
  
  Rita made the 100km round trip to see Jill twice a week. “The patient had a chronic ulcer that had been dressed biweekly by a nurse practitioner for 6 months. She suffered infection, extreme swelling, severely dry, malnourished skin on both lower legs, and non-healing leg wounds on her lower left leg.” Jill said.
  
  Jill describes Rita’s treatment: “The treatment was just eight minutes of laser therapy per leg twice a week for a little over a month. The wound became noticeably smaller within just five days, and progressively healed over the following month.” The patient stopped taking Endone by the second laser treatment due to the significant reduction in pain and has since not resumed taking the opioid.
- Jill uses the hands-free MLS^® laser with two delivery mechanisms or two laser heads. The wound was on Rita’s left leg, so Jill used the hands free multi diode head on this leg. Jill was able to laser the right leg at the same time with the handheld device, saving treatment time and doubling the results.[5]
  
  Both legs improved. The ulcer began clearing up and Rita’s right leg improved. “It was nowhere near as tight and swollen. It became more comfortable, and not as darkly discoloured.”
  
  The patient was amazed at the results. Rita said: “Look, for me, it was a miracle. I could not believe it. The ulcers are now totally fine. They are all clear. It was worth it. I’d do anything to get out of that pain. I could not stand it”
  
  “Rita was rapt. The psychological outcome was as great as the physical one. The reduction of pain and the progress of wound healing motivated Rita to move on with her life goals.”
  
  Jill said that “the incredible thing about working with MLS^® for treating wounds is that the improvement is so visible. With every treatment you can see the improvement.”

- Laser treatment
  
  MLS^® laser has built-in pre-set protocols for a variety of conditions. Jill followed the protocols for wound healing. Rita’s treatment started 18/8/22 and she was discharged 4/10/22. She received twice weekly treatments and Rita was discharged after 10 laser treatments. The results were dramatic.
  
  BEFORE: At presentation on 27/08/2022 (approx. 5x 3 cm)[6]
  
  DURING: On 22/09/2022, after 10 laser treatments
  
  AFTER: On day of discharge, 04/10/2022
  
  MLS^® Laser Therapy
  
  MLS^® is a high-powered laser therapy device now available in Australia. It uses dual, synchronized wavelengths that stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. This accelerates the reduction of pain, inflammation and oedema and promotes efficient wound healing. The process is known as Photobiomodulation which is use of red or near-infrared light to stimulate, heal, regenerate, and protect tissue that has either been injured, is degenerating, or else is at risk of dying.[7]
  
  MLS^® Laser therapy is backed by extensive clinical evidence and the Italian manufacturer, ASA Laser, has an ongoing commitment to developing evidence-based protocols for practitioners across a variety of disciplines. Information about how MLS^® laser therapy can be used in podiatry is located here.
- Laser Therapy and the future in Podiatry
  
  Podiatrists are using innovative technology to treat Australians living with acute and chronic leg ulcers that impact everyday life.
  
  Beyond ulcers, photobiomodulation can be used for a wide variety of conditions that podiatrists treat such as arthritis, Musculo skeletal pain and nerve injuries. Problems like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and sports injuries benefit from the laser treatment. New research shows that pain is the number one reason (59%) Australians visit a podiatrist.[8]
- Jill describes how MLS^® laser therapy has enhanced her treatments: “MLS^® laser therapy significantly reduces pain symptoms for a huge variety of conditions that present to clinic. It rapidly improves the healing of wounds and sports injuries. So it reduces recovery time. It also improves mobility for arthritic patients. I am using my laser to treat injuries, reduce pain, relax muscles and joints, and increase blood circulation.”
  
  Enhance Your Podiatry Practice with MLS^® Laser Therapy
  
  Jill describes the benefits she’s received from introducing MLS^® laser therapy into her podiatry practice: “The MLS^® laser has provided another modality to use either independently or as an adjunct to my current therapy choices. It is easy to use for me and gives me a pain-free and quick treatment for my patients.
  
  “MLS^® laser therapy is exciting, exciting for the patient, and the practitioner I love helping patients like Rita.
  
  Book a demo of our MLS^® laser therapy devices to see how they can revolutionize your practice.
  
  Podiatrist Jill Pellizzon using her MLS^® laser to treat a patient.
  
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  References
  
  [1] Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354076
  [2] While helping with the pain, endone has undesirable side effects that can include brain fog, drowsiness, bad dreams, restless sleep, and loss of concentration and co-ordination. Endone can lead to high dependency.
  [3] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/leg-ulcers
  [4] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/leg-ulcers
  [5] See more about MLS^® 75.5 laser https://www.healwithlaser.com.au/products/mphi-755/
  [6] Photos given with patient’s permission.
  [7] Chow RT, Armati PJ. Photobiomodulation: Implications for Anesthesia and Pain Relief. Photomed Laser Surg. 2016 Dec;34(12):599-609. doi: 10.1089/pho.2015.4048. Epub 2016 Jul 15. PMID: 27419354.PMID: 32770424; PMCID: PMC7881962.
  [8] https://www.foothealthaustralia.org.au/