Efeitos do laser de 660 nm no reparo de ruptura parcial do tendão calcâneo de ratos

The aim of this study was to analyze the low-level laser effect after partial rupture of Achilles tendon. Eighteen male rats were submitted to lesion by a falling of 186 g from a height of 20 cm above the right tendon. They were divided into 3 groups: 1 (n = 8) was treated by GaAlAs laser of 660 nm with 10 mW, during 10 seconds; 2 (n = 8) received sham treatment and 3 (n = 8) did not receive any treatment. On the 8th day of lesion, the animals were euthanized and analyzed qualitatively. The results showed that the groups treated with laser presented better repair quality with high collagen organization, low inflammatory cells, and accelerated tissue repair compared with other groups. Then, we have concluded that laser was an efficient form to treated partial ruptures of Achilles tendon in rats when compared with group control and nontreated group. Key-words: low level laser therapy, Achilles tendon, tissue repair,