Phototherapy for enhancing peripheral nerve repair: a review of the literature.
Posttraumatic nerve repair continues to be a major challenge of restorative medicine. Although enormous progress has been made in surgical techniques over the past three decades, functional recovery after a severe lesion of a major nerve trunk is often incomplete and sometimes unsatisfactory. It is thus particularly important to investigate clinical protocols to enhance nerve regeneration after surgical nerve repair. The present article reviews literature on one possible rehabilitation approach for enhancing nerve recovery, namely phototherapy. The number of experimental studies that have reported on the promoting action of phototherapy on peripheral nerve regeneration, together with the few known side effects related to the use of this type of physical therapy, make it possible to suggest that the time for broader clinical trials has come.
Gigo-Benato
Davilene
D
Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, 10043 Italy.
Geuna
Stefano
S
Rochkind
Shimon
S
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects