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Red Light Therapy for Sprains and Ligament Injuries in Pets
Anderson was seen by 2 orthopedic doctors who recommended ACL repair on one or both legs. We opted for a conservative approach of rest, acupuncture, and laser therapy. After a recommendation from our vet, Dr. Karen Collins, we purchased our Luma. Anderson is in year 2 of pain-free happiness. He loves his laser therapy! Thank you, Luma.
With Gratitude,
Michelle Scharff
Anderson
“It doesn’t take a break. It doesn’t call in sick. Ligament injuries just… linger.”
Sprains and torn ligaments in pets aren’t just painful—they’re stubborn. These injuries can slow down the most energetic dog or make your playful cat retreat to a corner. And while rest and meds help, more and more pet parents are asking: Is there a way to speed up healing without sedation or surgery?
Turns out, there is.
Red Light Therapy (RLT), also known as photobiomodulation therapy (PBM), uses therapeutic light to activate the body’s natural healing processes—reducing pain, inflammation, and recovery time without a single pill. It’s science-backed, pet-safe, and surprisingly soothing.
Understanding Sprains & Ligament Injuries in Pets
“Roxy had developed knee and leg issues and had been limping for several months prior to reaching out to Medcovet to try the Luma. We had tried medication and nothing seemed to help her. With 2x daily use with the Luma, Roxy was able to finally put weight on her leg without limping and walk/play.” -Renee Carter
Sprains happen when ligaments—the sturdy bands connecting bones—are stretched or torn. Dogs are especially prone to ligament injuries like CCL (cranial cruciate ligament) tears, which can make even standing a struggle. Cats can suffer soft tissue injuries too, especially after high jumps or rough play.
You might notice:
Limping or favoring one leg
Swelling or stiffness
Reluctance to climb stairs, run, or jump
Yelping when touched
Whether it’s a mild sprain or a full CCL rupture, ligament injuries often take weeks to heal. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless during that time.
“I got Lucy in my mid-twenties, and it’s been me and here side-by-side for almost 10 years now. She has always loved to be active and fun around. She tore her ACL a few months ago, and unfortunately, due to her age and overall hip condition, the doctor said she was not a good candidate for surgery. They recommended red light therapy as an alternative. After a few weeks of loading her in the car (not an easy task for a 105-pound dog with a torn leg), taking her to the vet (where she gets pretty stressed,) and sometimes having to wait for a while for treatment, I was beginning to lose hope that she would have successful healing. I was introduced to Medcovet, where Chris was unbelievably thoughtful and helpful. She took time to truly understand Lucy’s condition and make recommendations specific to her. In addition to the personalized attention and care, the cost of this therapy was substantially lower than what I was paying at the vet! Felt like a win, win, win. After several months, Lucy is back to normal, and we are thrilled! SO thankful to have found Medcovet!” -Alison Earl
Let’s talk about what’s actually happening beneath your pet’s skin.
Luma delivers targeted wavelengths of red (around 660 nm) and near-infrared (810–850 nm) light into injured tissue. This light is absorbed by the mitochondria—the cell’s energy factories—triggering a cascade of healing effects:
💥 More Energy for Healing Light boosts ATP production, giving cells the fuel they need to repair damaged tissue faster.
🔥 Less Inflammation PBM reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and increases anti-inflammatory markers, easing swelling and pain.
💫 Natural Pain Relief Red light can stimulate endorphin release and reduce nerve sensitivity—meaning less yelping, more tail-wagging.
💉 Improved Blood Flow Increased circulation brings fresh oxygen and nutrients right where they’re needed, flushing out cellular waste.
🧵 Boosted Collagen Production Crucial for rebuilding ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues. RLT encourages fibroblasts to lay down new, strong collagen.
“The luma helped speed Bran’s recovery and daily treatments made him have a far more complete recovery.” -Julie
📚 Studies in dogs, horses, and small animals show that red and near-infrared light therapy:
Reduces swelling and pain in tendon and ligament injuries
Speeds up soft tissue repair by enhancing collagen synthesis and cellular regeneration
Improves mobility post-surgery and in orthopedic conditions
Helps pets return to normal activity faster, with better long-term outcomes
A 635nm light study in horses with soft tissue injuries showed faster recovery, less pain, and a quicker return to sport. In dogs, light therapy post-surgery meant they walked sooner—with less discomfort.
And while RLT can’t fix a fully torn ligament, it can absolutely reduce the pain and inflammation that come with it—and support healing when surgery isn’t an option.
“Sedona tore her right ACL in May of 2020 during COVID at the age of 10. A year later she partially tore her left ACL. Not wanting to put her through surgery again, we opted for a brace and used the Luma to help with her recovery. We have been so amazed by her ability to return to normal activity by using the Luma on both legs as well as her hips since she is a senior. She is able to enjoy her walks with no limping. Thanks Luma!” – Kim Peacock
Luma isn’t just for clinics. It’s designed to bring professional-grade healing to your living room floor.
🛋 No Clinic Trips Required – Treat at home, on your schedule 😌 Non-Invasive & Painless – Most pets relax during treatment 🕒 Fast Sessions – Just 5–20 minutes per area 👁 Pet Safety First – Eye protection and safety controls built in 🧬 Clinician-Backed Protocols – We help guide your treatment plan
Pets with sprains often need multiple sessions to support the healing process. With Luma, you can treat daily during the acute phase, then taper off for maintenance—all from home.
“Our pup Jacques tore his CCL at 11 year old and the Luma help so much with his post surgery…”
Jacques
Post CCL surgery recovery and arthritis
“Our pup Jacques tore his CCL at 11 year old and the Luma help so much with his post surgery recovery and we’ve continued to use it for support the past few years. It’s so wonderful to be able to provide healing in the comfort of home ❤️”
“Olive was only a year old when she was diagnosed with grade 3 bilateral luxating patellas. We found an amazing…”
Olive
Arthritis, Luxating Patellas, CCL tears
“Olive was only a year old when she was diagnosed with grade 3 bilateral luxating patellas. We found an amazing PT who recommended trying the LUMA under her guidance. The LUMA not only helped us prepare for each of Olive’s three orthopedic surgeries, it was also a crucial part of her recovery afterwards. Now Olive is almost 5 years old and while she is not competing in any Olympic sports, she is still able to enjoy her favorite activities like a normal and happy dog. Thank you LUMA!!”
“At a mere 6 months of age and exuberant Morris tried to steal a toy from his brother. In the…”
Morris Samuel Berry
An orthopedic injury that occurred at 6 months of age.
“At a mere 6 months of age and exuberant Morris tried to steal a toy from his brother. In the process he slipped on the grass, twisted and fell. He let out a scream I will never forget. He damaged his left shoulder, elbow and bicep area. It was a long slow process to figure out and treat his injury. From the onset laser therapy was suggested and I got the Luma. It was so awesome to be able to continue to give him relief and comfort at home in between his many appointments for therapy, acupuncture, shockwave etc. I have continued to treat Morris with the Luma for years now. He is a healthy 8 year old today who still pays for his young craziness with soreness and arthritis. While all is under control compared to the initial onset, he still needs regular treatment with the Luma. Thank You Medcovet for the tools to keep my boy feeling his best!”
“The Luma helped Noel recover through multiple operations as an 8-week-old puppy. Noel’s leg was severely broken when her original…”
Noel
Recovery from broken femur in front right leg with nerve damage and recovery from TPLO in right rear leg.
“The Luma helped Noel recover through multiple operations as an 8-week-old puppy. Noel’s leg was severely broken when her original owner stepped on her. I adopted Noel as the original owner could not afford the surgeries needed. Noel also had severe nerve damage. The Luma was used for several weeks to help with bone and nerve healing. I purchased a Luma because I expected Noel would need the Luma treatment for arthritis throughout her life. I can use the Luma for a week and it lessens the pain and the need to use pain medications for long periods. I also used the Luma to help her recover from a TPLO on her right rear leg when she was 3 years old.”
“The Luma was so helpful during Penni’s recovery from surgery. It was effective for both pain control and wound healing.…”
Penni
Bilateral ACL tears, L TPLO
“The Luma was so helpful during Penni’s recovery from surgery. It was effective for both pain control and wound healing. When we brought her in for her 2 week check up, the surgery staff was amazed at how well she was using her leg! No doubt, the Luma helped my Penni to feel better faster.”
“Ruger has always been a dog who finds joy in running, hiking, and wrestling with other dogs. After tearing his…”
Ruger
Recovery from TPLO surgery
“Ruger has always been a dog who finds joy in running, hiking, and wrestling with other dogs. After tearing his CCL and having knee surgery at 9 years old, I was not only worried he wouldn’t be able to do the things he loves, I was heartbroken seeing him uncomfortable. Incorporating Luma into his rehab treatment plan sped his healing, offered him relief, and ultimately contributed to him getting back to his active self – hiking and wrestling with his dog friends and foster siblings.”
“Daisy is a large (pyranesse mix) dog that thinks she is a pro athlete. She partially tore her cruciate ligament…”
Daisy
Partially torn cruciate ligament
“Daisy is a large (pyranesse mix) dog that thinks she is a pro athlete. She partially tore her cruciate ligament and we have been using the Luma to assist in the healing process. Having past experiences with other dogs, I believe the use the Luma is significantly reducing the healing time (and avoiding surgery).”
