Overview

K-Laser is a non-invasive, low-level laser therapy that can help the body's natural healing process.

Using a laser light, this laser treatment can increase blood flow to the targeted area and improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients. It can help with:

• wound healing
• internal bands of scar tissue (adhesions) that may be limiting your movement

In this way, the treatment can help to improve your recovery and ease pain.

This information explains:

• how K-Laser therapy is used alongside hand therapy
• what happens during the K-Laser therapy
• how many treatments you need
• any possible risks of K-Laser therapy
• the arrangements for your follow-up appointments
• how to help yourself if you have a hand injury or condition

Using K-Laser alongside hand therapy

K-Laser is used alongside hand therapy rather than as a treatment by itself. You are likely to need to come to K-Laser appointments and hand therapy appointments. 

You may be offered K-Laser as a treatment in addition to your hand therapy. This does not replace other treatments. It is still vital to continue with your exercises and rehabilitation.

What happens during the procedure

A hand therapist assesses you before the therapy. They will:

• talk to you about your symptoms
• ask about your medical history
• check that K-Laser is a good treatment option for you

We recommend that you do not put any creams on your hand before the therapy. You also need to take off any clothing and jewellery from the area.

During the K-Laser therapy, the practitioner points the laser onto your skin using a small device called a probe. They move the laser over your skin around the treatment area.

The laser may feel warm. If it gets uncomfortable, please tell the hand therapist.

You need to wear safety glasses during the treatment to protect your eyes from the infrared light (the spectrum of light emitted by a heated object). If you have epilepsy, please tell the hand therapist as you may need different goggles to cover your eyes.

Number of treatments needed

We usually repeat K-Laser therapy 2 times a week, for 3 to 6 weeks. If you cannot come this often, we can book you to have weekly treatments instead.

It is important that you come to all your sessions to get the most benefit from the treatment.

Risks of K-Laser therapy

K-Laser is a safe and effective therapy. We use the K-Laser Cube 4 15W device. The Guy's and St Thomas' radiation safety department has tested the safety of this device.

K-laser therapy has not been shown to cause allergic reactions or side effects. The K-Laser does not cause burns. In some rare cases, people may have a temporary increase in pain during or after the treatment, or a tingling feeling.

Follow-up appointments

If you have a smart phone, you can download our MyChart patient app. This app lets you cancel or change hospital appointments.

Your hand therapist will talk to you about your follow-up appointments for K-Laser and hand therapy. They will explain to you how often you may need them. Some injuries or conditions involve more follow-up appointments than others.

You need to book your next appointment before you leave the hand therapy department, unless:

• it is a video appointment
• your hand therapist has told you something different

Things you can do to help yourself

If you have a hand injury or condition, there are ways to help take care of yourself.

Talking therapies

Any injury to your hand or pain in the hand can be overwhelming, and affect your mental health.

If you are struggling with how you feel and need to talk to someone, you can get help from the NHS talking therapy services.

You can speak to your doctor about talking therapies or contact the service directly.

Stopping smoking

Smoking and vaping can delay your healing and affect your recovery, especially if you have a wound. Free services are available to help you stop smoking.

Living well

If you need to wait for hand surgery, there are things that you can do to get ready. The healthier that you are before surgery, the quicker your recovery is likely to be. Healthy living can also help you after your surgery.

Even if you have had your hand injury or condition for a while, a healthy lifestyle can help with your recovery.

We have information about keeping well before surgery. You can also read about diet, exercise, sleep and other healthy living topics on the NHS live well pages.