20/02/2026
Case Study: Class 4 LASER Therapy for Secondary Intention Wound Healing ❤️🩹
This case from late last year has been on my list to share!
Meet Polly, a lovely greyhound — and as any sighthound owner knows, their delicate skin means even minor trauma can quickly become a significant wound.
Following breakdown of the original wounds stitches, then creating an open wound, I was referred to Polly to support healing using photobiomodulation (Class 4 LASER therapy).
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What is Secondary Intention Healing?
Secondary intention healing occurs when a wound is left open and the edges are not able to be closed. These wounds:
• Often take longer to heal
• Carry increased infection risk
• Can become chronic
• Frequently develop raised, uneven granulation tissue
• May result in restrictive scar tissue affecting surrounding structures and overall tissue mobility
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Treatment:
Polly underwent an intensive Class 4 LASER therapy programme:
• Week 1: 4 LASER treatments
• Week 2: 4 LASER treatments
• Week 3: 2 LASER treatments
• Week 4: 1 combined treatment
Her final combined session included:
• Manual scar tissue and myofascial release
• Class 4 LASER therapy
• Therapeutic ultrasound (for scar tissue focus)
• Prescription of tailored home massage and stretching
For even more scar-focused support, we could have repeated additional combined rehabilitation sessions — however, the overall outcome was still excellent with just one.
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Outcome:
After 10 LASER sessions (11 treatments in total), Polly achieved:
• Full secondary intention healing
• Smooth, supple skin
• Excellent tissue flexibility
• No excessive granulation tissue
• Reduced restrictive scar formation
Class 4 LASER therapy is an exceptional modality — but it is not a “point and shoot” treatment.
Successful wound healing depends on:
* Correct dosing and selection of treatment parameters
* Treatment directed at the whole anatomical region — not solely the wound surface
* Stage-specific treatment planning
* Ongoing tissue assessment and adjustment
* Understanding of biomechanics and tissue loading, and in-depth anatomical knowledge
* Appropriate integration of other electrotherapies, manual therapy, and ongoing home care
Simply applying LASER to a wound does not automatically optimise tissue quality.
In all cases, treatment is continuously reassessed and adapted. As healing progressed, the focus shifted from granulation support to tissue organisation, then to scar mobility and fascial glide — ensuring not just wound closure, but supple, functional tissue without long-term restriction.
That level of progression requires physiotherapy training, clinical reasoning, and hands-on rehabilitation skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of photobiomodulation itself — not just access to the equipment.
And just as importantly… all treatment was delivered in Polly’s own home environment.
For sensitive animals, reducing stress is invaluable. No car/lorry journeys, no clinical smells, no unfamiliar surroundings — just calm, controlled sessions in their own safe space.
And for her owners it meant no repeated trips to the practice, no waiting times, and no excess costs.
And that combination is where comprehensive physiotherapy-led LASER therapy truly makes the difference! 🤌💁♀️
