Surgery Hurts. Light Helps. Here’s the Proof.

Surgery is just the first step. What happens after—the pain, the swelling, the slow healing—that’s the real battle. But what if recovery didn’t have to be so hard?

Enter Photobiomodulation (PBM) AKA Red Light Therapy—light-based treatments that are turning heads (and healing tissues) across the medical world. This isn’t woo-woo wellness. It’s mitochondria-level science with real clinical backing.

Let’s break it down.

The Science: How Light Heals

PBM and LED therapy work by delivering specific wavelengths of light to your body’s tissues (1). These photons are absorbed by mitochondrial chromophores, primarily cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), which jumpstarts a cascade of biological effects (2).

Here’s what that means for recovery:

Increased ATP Production
When light hits CCO, it boosts mitochondrial respiration and increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—the energy source your cells need to repair and regenerate (2).
Reduced Inflammation
PBM helps downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulate anti-inflammatory molecules, creating a better healing environment (3).
Enhanced Angiogenesis
Red and infrared light promote the formation of new blood vessels, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to damaged tissue (4).
Pain Relief
Light therapy may reduce pain by stimulating endorphin release, modulating nerve conduction, and improving local circulation (5).
Faster Tissue Repair
PBM stimulates fibroblast activity, aiding in collagen synthesis, granulation tissue formation, and wound resurfacing (3).

Laser vs. LED: Laser therapy uses a single, coherent wavelength with deep penetration and precision. LED therapy, though less focused, can still cover broader areas effectively with multiple wavelengths and excellent safety (6).

Prove It: What the Research Says

This isn’t speculation—it’s science. Here’s what studies show about using PBM/Red light therapy after surgery:

💓 CABG Surgery (Heart Bypass)

Patients recovering from off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) reported significantly reduced pain when LLLT was used as part of multimodal pain management (1).

PBM has also shown potential to reduce myocardial damage, improve hemodynamic stability, and support cardiac tissue regeneration postoperatively (1).

🦵 Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

In one study, patients treated with LLLT after TKA showed greater pain reduction, improved range of motion, and better short-term function than those receiving Bioptron or no light therapy (7). They also required less opioid medication during the first 30 days (7).

🩹 Surgical Wound Healing

In diabetic patients with chronic wound dehiscence, LLLT accelerated wound closure and improved outcomes (3). A pilot study in neonates after myelomeningocele surgery found significantly reduced rates of wound dehiscence in the laser-treated group (4).

🦴 Orthopedic Surgeries

PBM therapy is being explored across orthopedic fields for post-op recovery—particularly for bone repair, cartilage regeneration, and tendon healing (6).

And perhaps most important—none of these studies reported any adverse effects when PBM or LED therapy was applied within appropriate parameters (1, 7).

Real-World Application: Post-Surgical Recovery with the Luma

If you’re using the MedcoVet Luma, you’re equipped with red and infrared light at 635nm and 850nm, respectively. Let’s talk protocol.

Post-Op Pain & Wound Healing Protocol (General Use Case)

Device: MedcoVet Luma
Wavelengths: 635nm (Red), 850nm (Infrared)
Power Density: 75 mW/cm²
Spot Size: 43 mm (approx. 14.5 cm²)
Average Power: 1100 mW

🔹 Protocol Guidelines (Based on WALT Recommendations 8):

Dose: 5–7 J/cm² per point
Duration: ~90 seconds per point (to deliver ~6.75 J/cm² at 75 mW/cm²)
Frequency: Daily for the first 3–5 days post-op, then taper based on progress
Application: Direct contact, point-by-point, along the incision and inflamed areas
Precautions: Avoid direct eye exposure, active tumors, and use with caution in epileptic pets

Smart Use Tips

Less can be more: PBM follows a biphasic dose response—lower doses are more effective; excessive dosing may inhibit healing (2).
Protocols matter: Treatment success depends on selecting the correct wavelength, power, dose, and duration for the condition (8).
Tailored therapy: Adjust settings based on depth of tissue, post-op day, and individual healing response (8).

The Takeaway: Light That Makes a Difference

PBM and LED therapy are changing how we approach healing after surgery—faster recovery, reduced pain, and safer outcomes. At MedcoVet, we don’t just believe in the science. We build on it.

Luma delivers light where healing begins—at the cellular level.

Surgery Hurts. Light Helps. Here’s the Proof.

The Science: How Light Heals