I originally posted this response under Cholesteral. Give the interest in my original posting, I thought I create a new topic.

My original posting follows:

Two years ago I was diagonosed that I had Dupuytren's in my right had. Fortunately, it was diagnosed prior to severely contracting my fingers.

My wife is a physicaltherapist and, at that time, I was COO of Meditech International, a manufacturer of laser therpay equipment.

I had nine laser treatments over three weeks. The lump in my hand was reduced by 90%. Most interestingly, it has not changed in the past 30 months since my last treatment.

We used laser therapy in combination with massage. During the massage sessions, we (the massage therapist and myself) could feel the fibrous tissue seperating.

At Meditech, Dr. Kahn, has treated several cases of Dupytren's successfully with laser. My wife was the Director of Outpatient Physical Therapy at a local hospital. They have three BioFlex systems and have successfully treated pre and post op patients with DC.

We now operate our own clinic and I still consult at Meditech. I feel I should disclose these facts for conflict of interest reasons.

However, given my successful experience, I feel I should pass this information along to others inflicted with DC so they may make their own decision.

If you have Dupytren's you may wish to try Low Intenstiy Laser Therapy. If your finger is severely contratcted, then you will probably require surgery. If you have surgery, we would recommend that you have laser post surgery to help wound healing, reduce scarring and mitigate the chance of DC recurring.

Depending on the nature of our condition, you may require nine to twenty treatments. The cost per treatment usually runs between $40 to $50 per 30 minute session.

Check out the equipment and the protocol prior to receiving laser therapy. The treatment time should be 30 minutes. A five or ten minute therapy session will not accomplish anything. Also there are a number of low powered laser devices that will not be effective either. Conversely, a very high powered laser administered over a short period of time may not be very effective either. Dosimetry is very important in Laser Therapy.

The BioFlex protocol utlizes three stages of treatment, red, infra-red and a laser probe in the final stage. This protocol seems most effective.

For more info, check out anything by Dyson, Karu, Kahn and Enwemeka.

Also check out www.walt.nu/ for additional information. If you have Arthritis, laser will be effective for treating that condition as well.


The Meditech web site is www.bioflexlaser.com Clinics with the bioflex laser are listed on the website. You may e-mail info@bioflexlaser.com and your e-mails will be answered by Dr. Fred Kahn, who is a Canadian surgeon. He has practiced in Canada and California. Dr. Kahn developed the BioFlex laser 15 years ago and now runs the largest laser therapy clinic in North America in Toronto.

I trust you find this info helpful.

Bob

Wolfgang,

This is a huge topic and there has been plenty of debate about the effective wavelength. Much of the debate has been brought about by manufacturers who wish to claim that they have found the magic wave length and that theirs is only true therapeutic wavelength.

The reality is that the therapeutic wavelength is between 600 to 950 nm (red to near infrared range). Studies have shown that the lower wavelengths have different therapeutic affect then the higher wavelengths.

Red light, which is visible and in the lower wavelength range, does not penetrate as deeply as near infrared light, but seems to be more effective for dealing with inflammatory conditions. (Dr. Mary Dyson has written extentsively on this.)

On the other hand infrared seems to accelerate tissue repair and has a significant impact on restoring normal cell function.

Dr. Kahn has found that using both wavelengths seems to yeild the best therapeutic results. Kahn's rationale is that in most conditions, there is some residual inflammation , even if it is minor.

As Dyson puts it, "Inflammation isn't bad. It's part of the healing process. Chronic inflammation is bad and we need to return chronic conditions to an acute stage in order to get things moving again.

Laser doesn't get rid of inflammation, it simply accelerates the inflammation process so that the tissue may continue it's healing process."

Dyson is a cell biologist who's primary interest is tissue repair. I've had the good fortune to meet her on several occassions and have heard her speak. If you ever get a chance to hear her, I highly recommend it. She's the cell biology prof we all wish we had back in school.

Kahn has written a good article that you can find at the follwing URL:

http://www.meditech-bioflex.com/education_articles.php?loc=articles/myths.php

I hope the above addresses the issue.

Bob