Case Overview

Species: Canine

Condition: Synovitis, Degenerative Osteoarthritis

Medical History

The patient was diagnosed with synovitis and degenerative osteoarthritis, presenting with joint pain, stiffness and impaired mobility affecting bilateral shoulders, elbows and lumbar spine.

Treatment Protocol

An 8‑session Class IV laser physiotherapy plan was implemented, targeting bilateral shoulders, elbows, and lumbar spine.

Sessions 1‑3: Once‑daily treatment.

Following significant pain relief, treatment frequency was adjusted to once every 3 days.

Upon completion of the full treatment course, maintenance therapy was scheduled 1‑2 times per month.

Result

After completing the full laser therapy course, the dog’s standing posture returned to normal.

Laser treatment reduces inflammatory infiltration and down‑regulates MMP activity (including MMP‑2, MMP‑3, MMP‑9, and MMP‑13), which helps slow cartilage degradation. It effectively relieves pain and joint stiffness and improves joint mobility in osteoarthritis patients.

Summary

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent chronic disorder among senior animals. Long‑term administration of NSAIDs and antibiotics may trigger adverse side‑effects and impose extra burden on liver and kidney functions, which creates higher clinical risks for aged dogs. Class IV laser therapy provides a non‑invasive, drug‑free therapeutic alternative. It helps alleviate pain and inflammation, restore joint function, improve animal quality of life, and lower dependency on long‑term pharmaceutical medication.