Introduction: Red Light Therapy for metal implants and screws in leg

Everyone is careful with their health, which is why when it comes to new technology, scepticism arises. 

After a bad leg injury, you had metal implants to help you recover. Having these foreign materials in your body already doesn’t sit well with you (or stand well in this situation), so adding new technology on top of this is far from your list. 

So, can you use red light therapy with a metal rod and screws in your leg? According to a study done by the National Library of Medicine, yes you can. In their research, it is suggested that photobiomodulation (which is another term for red light therapy) can be safely prescribed after the placement of titanium implants. 

Is red light therapy safe with metal implants

People are mostly afraid that the light emitted from red light therapy devices can heat up the metal implants and cause burns on the surrounding flesh. This is a valid concern given that light is a form of energy, and energy can be transformed to any form so may end up as heat energy. However, once you understand the science behind red light therapy, the anxiety that red light therapy may fry your skin should go away. 

Here are the properties of the red light and metal implants that minimize the risk of heat building up:

1. Depth of penetration 

While red light therapy devices include near-infrared light which penetrates deeper, it still faces limits. As the light travels through the skin, fat and muscle, it is absorbed and scattered by the cells. By the time it reaches the metal implants deep in the bone shaft, the power density is significantly reduced. This means that there won't be a concentrated beam hitting the metal, and instead just a diffused glow shining on it, reducing the chances of a heat build up occurring 

2. Red light is non-ionizing  

Even if it happens that a significant amount of light reaches the metal implants, there still won't be a heat build up. Red light is non-ionizing, meaning it does not have enough energy to displace electrons in the metal implants to create an electrical current that could produce heat. If you were a science nerd back in the day, you'll now start asking why a microwave heats things up despite being non-ionizing as well. The simple answer is that red light possesses a non-thermal property too, meaning it does not vibrate water molecules when passing through the skin to produce heat. 

3.Metal implants are made from metals with low thermal conductivity

Metal implants are specifically made from surgical-grade titanium and stainless steel. These metals have low thermal conductivity, meaning they don't heat up easily. 

Does red light therapy help bone healing after surgery

You might now ask where the effectiveness of red light therapy comes in if the light doesn't even have enough energy to displace electrons. 

Well, red light therapy is a photochemical process, where once the light passes through the skin, it is absorbed by a protein called Cytochrome c Oxidase which is found in the mitochondria. Once absorbed, the light triggers a chemical reaction which helps release Nitric Oxide, that in turn increases the production of ATP. ATP provides the energy for the cells to work faster and promote recovery. 

For a leg injury that required metal implants, red light therapy is theorized to promote recovery by: 

1. Reducing excessive inflammation in the early stages.
2. Promoting activity of bone-forming cells. 
3. Improving blood flow to the fracture site. 
4. Accelerating callus formation. 
5. Reducing pain. 

However, don’t take red light therapy as a “magic potion” that will speed up recovery by default. You have to understand that it will need discipline from your side. You need to use it consistently and correctly while following the health practices prescribed by your surgeon, such as load management and eating healthy.  

What to look for in a red light therapy device after implant surgery

Red light therapy devices are designed for different purposes. There are masks which are used for the face, wands and wraps which provide targeted therapy for various parts of the body, and panels which provide therapy for a larger surface area, mostly used for injury related cases like the one being talked about here. 

Panels are preferred for injury related therapy because they have the following attributes: 

1. Larger surface area: As compared to other red light therapy devices, a panel is bigger and will provide the required exposure to the injured area. 

2. Near-infrared wavelengths: Near-infrared  wavelengths (810nm - 1064nm) penetrate deeper to reach the bone shaft where the metal implants are to help with recovery. The 810-850nm range is the most studied here, and studies for the higher ranges are still emerging. For instance, 22 studies conducted by the National Library of Medicine, all restricted to a criteria of patients with a medical diagnosis, showed that the 1064nm wavelength is a safe, tolerable, effective, and long-lasting approach for the management of musculoskeletal pain. However, more studies need to be done for this claim to be considered medically accurate. 

3. Adequate irradiance: Irradiance refers to the amount of light that hits the skin surface from the red light therapy devices. The ideal irradiance for injury related cases is around 100mW/cm²  at the treatment distance. That amount ensures that enough light can survive the journey through your skin layers to reach the bone. Most panels average an irradiance of 100mW/cm² 

Companies like RLT Home design panels with these needs in mind, where their panels reach up to 1064nm in wavelength, average an irradiance of 100mW/cm²  at a distance of six inches and include panels that are large enough to cover the injured leg area. The full body panels from RLT Home panels also come with electric stands for adjusting the panels vertically and horizontally, so you can use them while lying down, further preventing stress on the leg. 

Frequently asked questions

When it comes to medical issues like this one, it is expected that one will need extra clarification, so here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:

Q1: Will the red light heat up the metal implants in my leg?
As the physics explained above, red light does not have the properties to heat up the metal implants. The implants are also made of materials that minimize absorption of light. 

Q2: How soon after my surgery can I start using red light therapy?
You need to wait until your surgical incisions are completely closed before you start the therapy. Consult with your surgeon on when the healing will be complete.

Q3: Is 1064nm better for bone healing after metal implant surgery?
The 1064nm wavelength goes deeper into your leg and reaches the osteoblasts, which are the bone building cells. This increases the rate at which the bone attaches itself to the rod to make your leg stand strong again. But be reminded that studies backing this claim are still limited. 

Q4: Do I need to wear clothes during red light therapy?
Red light poses a greater harm to the eyes and is generally safe for direct skin use. However, it can cause issues for people with specific photosensitivity or those taking certain medications. 

Q5: How long should therapy sessions last?
The recommended time is 10-15 minutes per session, everyday. Ensure you position yourself 6-12 inches from the panel. Since the full body panels from RLT Home given as an example here have stands to adjust them, it will help you reach the required minutes per session with ease because you can lay down during your sessions.