Limited Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy on Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes in Three-Year-Old Arabian Racehorses with Dorsal Metacarpal Disease

Dorsal metacarpal disease is a common injury of the front limb bones in young racehorses that causes pain, inflammation and lameness, often reducing training capacity and performance. This study evaluated whether high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), a treatment that uses focused light energy to support tissue recovery, could reduce clinical signs of the disease compared with rest alone. Fifteen Arabian racehorses diagnosed with dorsal metacarpal disease were included in the study. All horses were withdrawn from training during the study period. Nine horses received a series of HILT sessions, whereas six horses served as untreated controls without additional therapy. All horses were regularly assessed using clinical examinations, thermographic imaging to measure surface temperature changes associated with inflammation, and radiographic evaluation of the affected bones. The results showed that horses treated with high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) did not demonstrate a significant reduction in pain and lameness, nor thermographic changes consistent with decreased inflammation. These findings indicate that HILT did not provide a measurable clinical benefit in alleviating signs associated with dorsal metacarpal disease in the affected horses under the conditions of this study. However, further controlled studies are required to clarify its potential effects on tissue healing processes and to optimize treatment duration.