Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Treating Postoperative Scars in Athletes and Its Impact on Recovery Time and Return to Physical Activity
Postoperative scarring presents a significant challenge in sports medicine, particularly for athletes seeking a rapid return to intensive physical activity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laser therapy in improving the quality of postoperative scars and its impact on rehabilitation ti...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56622 |
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| author | Jakub Leicht Aleksandra Kossakowska Aisha Hassan Sara Hassan Szymon Bienia Wafa Al-Batool Klaudia Konieczna Izabela Zarecka |
| author_facet | Jakub Leicht Aleksandra Kossakowska Aisha Hassan Sara Hassan Szymon Bienia Wafa Al-Batool Klaudia Konieczna Izabela Zarecka |
| author_sort | Jakub Leicht |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Postoperative scarring presents a significant challenge in sports medicine, particularly for athletes seeking a rapid return to intensive physical activity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laser therapy in improving the quality of postoperative scars and its impact on rehabilitation time. A cohort of competitive athletes aged 18–40 with hypertrophic scars resulting from orthopedic surgeries underwent five biweekly sessions of laser therapy using fractional CO2 and pulsed dye lasers (PDL). Scar assessment included the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Cutometer-based skin elasticity measurements, with additional evaluations of pain and functionality using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Fractional CO2 laser therapy significantly reduced VSS scores by 2.5 points and increased skin elasticity by 15%, while PDL therapy effectively decreased erythema by 30%. Athletes treated with laser therapy returned to high-intensity training an average of three weeks earlier than those receiving standard scar treatments. Side effects, such as transient redness and swelling, were mild and resolved within 2–3 days. These findings suggest that laser therapy, particularly fractional CO2 and PDL, is a safe and effective intervention for managing postoperative scars in athletes, enhancing both aesthetic and functional outcomes while accelerating rehabilitation timelines. Further research is recommended to optimize protocols and evaluate long-term benefits.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-78484be47fcf40198f924fd1f2b48989 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-78484be47fcf40198f924fd1f2b489892025-08-20T01:57:40ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182024-12-013610.12775/QS.2024.36.56622Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Treating Postoperative Scars in Athletes and Its Impact on Recovery Time and Return to Physical ActivityJakub Leicht0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8512-2776Aleksandra Kossakowska1https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5338-0182Aisha Hassan2https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5078-7724Sara Hassan3https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3297-8250Szymon Bienia4https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7632-5125Wafa Al-Batool5https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8666-5400Klaudia Konieczna6https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4729-9798Izabela Zarecka7https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1376-4040Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, PolandCardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, PolandCardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, PolandMedical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, PolandWroclaw Medical University, wyb. Ludwika Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandMedical University of Silesia, Dr. Henryka Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, PolandWroclaw Medical University, wyb. Ludwika Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland Postoperative scarring presents a significant challenge in sports medicine, particularly for athletes seeking a rapid return to intensive physical activity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laser therapy in improving the quality of postoperative scars and its impact on rehabilitation time. A cohort of competitive athletes aged 18–40 with hypertrophic scars resulting from orthopedic surgeries underwent five biweekly sessions of laser therapy using fractional CO2 and pulsed dye lasers (PDL). Scar assessment included the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Cutometer-based skin elasticity measurements, with additional evaluations of pain and functionality using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Fractional CO2 laser therapy significantly reduced VSS scores by 2.5 points and increased skin elasticity by 15%, while PDL therapy effectively decreased erythema by 30%. Athletes treated with laser therapy returned to high-intensity training an average of three weeks earlier than those receiving standard scar treatments. Side effects, such as transient redness and swelling, were mild and resolved within 2–3 days. These findings suggest that laser therapy, particularly fractional CO2 and PDL, is a safe and effective intervention for managing postoperative scars in athletes, enhancing both aesthetic and functional outcomes while accelerating rehabilitation timelines. Further research is recommended to optimize protocols and evaluate long-term benefits. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56622Postoperative scarsLaser therapyAthletesRehabilitationPhysical activity recovery |
| spellingShingle | Jakub Leicht Aleksandra Kossakowska Aisha Hassan Sara Hassan Szymon Bienia Wafa Al-Batool Klaudia Konieczna Izabela Zarecka Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Treating Postoperative Scars in Athletes and Its Impact on Recovery Time and Return to Physical Activity Quality in Sport Postoperative scars Laser therapy Athletes Rehabilitation Physical activity recovery |
| title | Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Treating Postoperative Scars in Athletes and Its Impact on Recovery Time and Return to Physical Activity |
| title_full | Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Treating Postoperative Scars in Athletes and Its Impact on Recovery Time and Return to Physical Activity |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Treating Postoperative Scars in Athletes and Its Impact on Recovery Time and Return to Physical Activity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Treating Postoperative Scars in Athletes and Its Impact on Recovery Time and Return to Physical Activity |
| title_short | Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Treating Postoperative Scars in Athletes and Its Impact on Recovery Time and Return to Physical Activity |
| title_sort | evaluation of the efficacy of laser therapy in treating postoperative scars in athletes and its impact on recovery time and return to physical activity |
| topic | Postoperative scars Laser therapy Athletes Rehabilitation Physical activity recovery |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56622 |
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