How MLS Laser Therapy Helps Heal Achilles Tendon Injuries

Laser technology continues to transform our lives, and the medical field is no exception. We use lasers to remove tumors with extreme precision and to correct vision problems, saving people from a lifetime in glasses or losing their sight. 

Laser energy can also support your body’s own regenerative abilities. That’s why we offer therapy with a multiwave locked system (MLS) laser here at our Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist offices in Homer Glen and New Lenox, Illinois. Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, can apply this specialized kind of laser to help your body heal a range of issues, including problems with your Achilles tendon. 

To help you understand how this kind of laser therapy could help your Achilles, let’s dive into how it works. 

MLS 10

Multiwave locked system lasers get their name from the fact that they produce two different wavelengths of energy. That makes MLS laser therapy particularly effective for areas that you want to soothe while supporting healing. Recent studies have highlighted its effects for a wide range of problems, from shoulder pain to low back pain.  

When we apply this laser to your Achilles, it penetrates into the tendon. One wavelength helps to produce anti-inflammatory effects. Because many Achilles problems stem from tendonitis (inflammation in the tendon), this function of the laser helps to drive results.

Specifically, the wavelength stimulates energy production in the cells of your tendon. With more energy, cells are better able to do their regenerative work. 

At the same time, the second wavelength of the laser goes to work producing pain-relieving effects. In this way, MLS laser therapy takes a two-pronged approach to your Achilles tendon issue. It gives your body resources to repair the area over time while also helping you experience less discomfort now. 

On top of these benefits, MLS laser therapy is a painless, noninvasive treatment protocol. 

What to expect with MLS laser therapy for your Achilles

Unlike other lasers, MLS systems don’t produce heat. You shouldn’t feel any discomfort as we apply the laser to your Achilles tendon. What’s more, the treatment should take only about 10 minutes or less. 

After your appointment, you should notice some improvement in your pain levels. In the days and weeks that follow, your cells go to work using the laser energy to improve the tissues in your Achilles tendon. 

Dr. Thakrar and Dr. Vittori usually recommend a series of treatments for the best results. You should notice lasting improvement within a few treatments. Most patients average 7–10 sessions to support full healing in the Achilles. 

If you’re dealing with an Achilles tendon injury — particularly one that’s been slow to heal — this painless laser therapy might be right for you. To explore MLS laser treatment with our team, call us at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, or schedule an appointment online today.