MLS® Laser Therapy at Urgent Orthopaedic Care is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive form of photobiomodulation that uses synchronized wavelengths of light. The treatment may be incorporated into an orthopedic care plan to help manage pain and inflammation in selected musculoskeletal conditions. The MLS system uses synchronized 808 nm and 905 nm wavelengths, with treatment protocols tailored to the condition, treatment area, and individual patient.
Urgent Orthopaedic Care treats patients from North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and the surrounding Southern California area. The practice offers MLS Laser Therapy as part of a broader approach to non-invasive orthopedic pain treatment, built around getting patients back to their normal routine without unnecessary medication or downtime. This article explains how the therapy works, which conditions it addresses, how it compares with other laser technologies, and what patients can expect from a full treatment plan.
MLS stands for Multiwave Locked System. It uses two light wavelengths fired together in a fixed pattern, instead of the single wavelength a standard cold laser sends out. This synchronized approach enables MLS laser therapy for orthopedic pain treatment to target both inflammation and pain in one session.
The system was built to fix problems with older lasers, some of which lacked depth while others carried a higher risk of heat discomfort. By combining two wavelengths into one pulse, MLS technology reaches joint tissue while staying gentle enough for everyday orthopedic use.
The MLS system combines an 808 nm continuous wavelength with a 905 nm pulsed wavelength. These wavelengths and delivery patterns have been studied for their potential effects on inflammatory processes, circulation, edema, and pain signaling. The synchronized delivery is a defining feature of MLS technology, although an individual patient’s clinical response depends on the condition and treatment protocol.
MLS belongs to a wider group of treatments called photobiomodulation, or PBM. PBM uses light to change how cells work, without creating harmful heat. The light is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase, a structure inside the mitochondria, the part of a cell that makes energy.
One proposed mechanism of photobiomodulation involves absorption of light by mitochondrial chromophores, including cytochrome c oxidase, which can influence cellular signaling and ATP production. These cellular effects are being studied for their potential role in inflammation, tissue repair, and recovery. The clinical response, however, depends on the condition being treated, treatment parameters, and the individual patient.
Modern MLS systems use a robotic scanning head that moves across a defined treatment area according to programmed settings. Automated scanning is designed to distribute treatment across the targeted area in a consistent pattern.
Also Read: Can Cold Laser Therapy Help Delay or Prevent Surgery?
Orthopedic patients often weigh medication, physical therapy, injections, and surgery against each other. MLS laser therapy offers a low-risk option. The three benefits below are the ones patients ask about most.
MLS® Laser Therapy does not involve injections or medication during the treatment itself. For selected patients, it may be incorporated into a broader pain-management plan alongside physical therapy, activity modification, medication, or other orthopedic treatments when appropriate. Because the treatment itself is non-sedating, patients generally remain alert and able to continue their normal routine afterward, subject to any restrictions related to the underlying injury or condition.
Photobiomodulation has been studied for its potential effects on inflammatory processes and cellular activity involved in tissue repair. In selected patients, MLS® Laser Therapy may be incorporated into rehabilitation to help manage pain or swelling while an injury or surgical site heals. It does not replace postoperative restrictions, physical therapy, or other components of an orthopedic recovery plan.
MLS® Laser Therapy does not involve an incision or injection and is generally well tolerated. Many patients feel little or nothing during treatment, while some notice mild warmth over the treatment area. The laser treatment itself generally does not require recovery time, although activity restrictions may still be necessary because of the orthopedic injury, surgery, or condition being treated.
MLS laser therapy treats many orthopedic issues, from joint disease to nerve pain to sports injuries. The three groups below cover the conditions treated most often at Urgent Orthopaedic Care.
Osteoarthritis, one of the most common causes of joint pain, happens when cartilage inside a joint slowly wears down. MLS laser therapy is often used to manage the swelling that comes with it, especially in the knee. Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff pain, which flare up when lifting or reaching overhead, respond to the same process.
MLS® Laser Therapy may be incorporated into conservative treatment plans for conditions such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and plantar fasciitis. In these cases, treatment is generally aimed at managing pain and inflammation while supporting the patient’s broader recovery or rehabilitation plan.
MLS® Laser Therapy may be considered for symptom management in selected patients with back or neck pain and certain nerve-related symptoms. However, laser therapy does not correct structural problems such as a herniated disc or relieve mechanical nerve compression. Patients with radiating pain, persistent numbness, weakness, or other neurologic symptoms need an appropriate orthopedic evaluation to identify the cause and determine whether laser therapy has a role in the treatment plan.
Peripheral neuropathy can have many causes and may require a different diagnostic and treatment approach. Whether MLS® Laser Therapy is appropriate depends on the underlying diagnosis and individual clinical findings.
MLS® Laser Therapy may be incorporated into conservative treatment for selected strains, sprains, and other soft-tissue injuries when pain or swelling is limiting comfortable movement or rehabilitation. It may also be used as part of a postoperative rehabilitation plan for selected patients, depending on the procedure, stage of healing, and orthopedic treatment plan.
Not all therapy lasers work the same way, and the differences affect both comfort and results. The table below compares MLS laser therapy against two other common types: low-level cold lasers and traditional high-power Class IV hot lasers.
| Feature | MLS® Laser Therapy | Traditional Low-Level Laser |
Higher-Power Therapeutic Laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wavelength delivery | Synchronized 808 nm + 905 nm | Varies by device | Varies by device |
| Delivery | Continuous + pulsed emissions | Device-dependent | Device-dependent |
| Thermal effect | Designed as photobiomodulation rather than tissue heating | Generally low thermal effect | Greater potential for tissue heating depending on settings |
| Application | Pain/inflammation management as part of a treatment plan | Varies by device and indication | Varies by device and indication |
| Treatment protocol | Determined by condition and treatment area | Device/protocol dependent | Device/protocol dependent |
Therapeutic laser systems vary in wavelength, power, pulse characteristics, delivery method, and treatment protocols. MLS® technology is distinguished by its synchronized 808 nm and 905 nm wavelengths and automated scanning capabilities. Other low-level and higher-power therapeutic lasers use different parameters and delivery methods, so treatment characteristics vary by device. The appropriate technology and protocol depend on the condition being treated and the clinician’s treatment goals.
Also Read: Joint Replacement vs. Physical Therapy: When Each Makes Sense
Before treatment starts, an orthopedic provider examines the area and reviews the patient’s history and any past imaging or test results. This step confirms that MLS laser therapy fits the condition and rules out reasons it shouldn’t be used. The provider then sets laser settings, such as frequency, power, and time, based on tissue depth and how severe the condition is.
This is why treatment plans differ between patients, even for similar diagnoses. A shoulder problem in an active 30-year-old may need a different plan than an arthritic knee in an older adult.
Once a plan is set, the session itself is simple. Patients sit or lie down comfortably while the robotic laser head moves across the area, following the pattern the provider set. Sessions usually last 10 to 15 minutes, based on the size of the area being treated.
There is no numbing medicine and no special prep beyond wearing clothing that allows access to the area. Many patients describe the session as calm and uneventful, sometimes with a mild feeling of warmth on the skin.
Treatment plans often involve 6 to 10 total sessions, scheduled 2 to 3 times a week. Acute injuries, like a recent sprain, often respond faster and need fewer visits. Chronic conditions, like long-term arthritis, may need the full course to see real change. A general six-step path looks like this:
Treatment plans at Urgent Orthopaedic Care may involve 6 to 10 sessions scheduled two to three times per week, depending on the condition and treatment plan. The number of sessions needed varies according to the diagnosis, treatment area, duration of symptoms, and individual response. Progress is reassessed during treatment so the provider can determine whether the protocol should continue, change, or be combined with another form of orthopedic care.
Also Read: What Happens When Joint Damage Progresses Beyond Repair
Choosing a provider for laser therapy isn’t only about the machine. It also comes down to the skill of the team running it. Urgent Orthopaedic Care has built its laser therapy program around both.
Urgent Orthopaedic Care uses FDA-cleared laser systems built on current photobiomodulation research. Providers monitor each patient’s progress and adjust settings as needed, rather than using one fixed plan for everyone.
Laser therapy works best as part of a full plan, not a stand-alone service. At Urgent Orthopaedic Care, laser sessions are managed alongside physical therapy and direct oversight from orthopedic specialists, all in one practice. The same team tracks a patient’s laser plan, exercise plan, and other orthopedic care. This closes the gaps that can happen when a patient sees separate, unconnected providers for each part of recovery.
MLS®, or Multiwave Locked System, Laser Therapy is a non-invasive form of photobiomodulation that uses synchronized 808 nm and 905 nm wavelengths. It may be incorporated into orthopedic treatment plans to help manage pain and inflammation in selected musculoskeletal conditions.
MLS® technology uses synchronized 808 nm and 905 nm wavelengths and automated treatment protocols. Other therapeutic lasers vary in wavelength, power, pulse pattern, and delivery method, so differences depend on the specific devices being compared.
Yes. MLS Laser Therapy is FDA-cleared to relieve pain and reduce inflammation and edema (fluid buildup and swelling) associated with acute and chronic orthopedic conditions.
No. Treatment is painless for many patients. Many feel no sensation at all, while some notice a mild, comfortable warming feeling on the skin. There are no needles or incisions involved.
Each session typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes. The exact length depends on the size of the treated area and the orthopedic condition involved.
Treatment plans may involve 6 to 10 sessions at Urgent Orthopaedic Care, although the number and frequency vary according to the condition and individual response. Your provider can adjust the plan based on progress.
Response varies. Some patients notice improvement during the course of treatment, while others may require several sessions before determining whether the therapy is helping.
MLS® Laser Therapy is non-invasive and is generally well tolerated when used appropriately. However, precautions and contraindications apply, and patients should be evaluated before treatment. The provider will review relevant medical conditions, treatment areas, and device-specific safety considerations before beginning therapy.
MLS® Laser Therapy may be one component of a conservative orthopedic treatment plan, but it cannot guarantee that a patient will avoid medication, injections, or surgery. Whether those treatments are needed depends on the diagnosis, severity of the condition, response to conservative care, and individual clinical findings.
This therapy is used for arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle strains, and ligament sprains, as well as back and neck pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, peripheral neuropathy, and post-surgical swelling.
It may be combined with physical therapy, activity modification, and other orthopedic treatments when clinically appropriate. Reducing pain and inflammation beforehand can make it easier for patients to participate fully in stretching and strengthening exercises.
MLS® Laser Therapy may be incorporated into postoperative rehabilitation for selected patients to help manage pain or swelling. Whether it is appropriate, and when it can begin, depends on the procedure, healing stage, and surgeon’s rehabilitation plan.
The laser treatment itself generally does not require downtime. However, work or activity restrictions may still be necessary because of the underlying injury, surgery, or orthopedic condition being treated.
Metal orthopedic implants do not automatically rule out photobiomodulation, but patients should tell their provider about all implants and previous procedures. The provider can determine whether treatment over or near the area is appropriate.
One proposed mechanism involves absorption of light by mitochondrial chromophores, including cytochrome c oxidase, which may influence cellular signaling and ATP production. These effects are being studied for their potential role in inflammation and tissue-repair processes.
Coverage varies by provider and plan. Some insurance may cover it when combined with physical therapy, though many sessions are self-pay. Urgent Orthopaedic Care offers transparent pricing information.
MLS® Laser Therapy may be used as part of a conservative pain-management plan for selected patients with osteoarthritis. It does not reverse cartilage loss or cure arthritis, and treatment should be based on the patient’s symptoms, examination, imaging when appropriate, and broader orthopedic treatment plan.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the treatment area, such as shorts for knee or ankle sessions or a tank top for shoulder or neck sessions.
MLS® Laser Therapy is not appropriate for every patient or every treatment area. Contraindications and precautions depend on the device and clinical situation, so the provider will review relevant medical conditions, pregnancy, cancer history, implants, medications, and other safety considerations before treatment. Appropriate eye protection and device-specific safety protocols are used during treatment.
You can schedule a consultation with the team at Urgent Orthopaedic Care in North Hollywood by calling the office or requesting an appointment online. A provider will examine your condition and let you know whether this treatment fits your plan.
MLS Laser Therapy can be a strong option for many orthopedic conditions, but it isn’t the right treatment path for everyone. Whether it’s right for you depends on the specific joint or area involved, how long you’ve been dealing with the issue, and what an orthopedic provider finds after a direct examination. At Urgent Orthopaedic Care, Dr. Vlad Gendelman brings that kind of hands-on evaluation to every patient, using his orthopedic expertise to determine whether laser therapy fits into your recovery. That assessment helps build a treatment plan that matches your situation, whether that means laser therapy on its own, laser therapy paired with physical therapy, or a different approach entirely.
If pain, swelling, or a lingering injury has been getting in the way of your daily routine, it’s worth taking the step to find out what’s actually available to you. Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Vlad Gendelman at Urgent Orthopaedic Care and speak with an orthopedic specialist who can walk you through your options and help you decide the right next step for your recovery.
CONTACT URGENT ORTHOPAEDIC CARE
Urgent Orthopaedic Care
Website: https://www.urgentorthopaediccare.com/
Location: North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
This article provides general medical information and is not formal medical advice. Individual diagnostic findings and recovery timelines vary. Consult a licensed orthopaedic physician or specialist for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
