A shockwave is a pressure wave – any action that displaces its surrounding medium is a shockwave. The ripple created when a stone is thrown into a pond is a shockwave. Shockwaves are not electrical but they are high energy sound waves. These high energy sound waves can easily pass through fluid filled structures like skin, fat, and muscle. These waves do not pass through tendons, ligaments or bone. When the sound waves hit these structures they “crash” and release energy. The released energy penetrates the surrounding tissue and increases blood flow to the area. This stimulates various cells which are responsible for tissue repair of the injured structures. Shockwave therapy not only promotes and speeds up the healing process, but ultimately causes various soft tissue injuries to heal more thoroughly with less fibrous tissue accumulation.
The shockwaves used in equine medicine are generated in a fluid medium inside a transducer head and are then transmitted readily through skin, fat, and muscle. The high energy waves are focused within the transducer head so that the shockwave can be directed to the precise area of the injury. When the shockwave hits an area of higher acoustic impedance, such as bone, the waves slow dramatically and a large amount of energy is released into the surrounding tissue.
Shockwave therapy for horses has been successfully used to treat many soft tissue and bony problems, both acute and chronic. These include, but are not limited to:
- Soft tissue injuries such as flexor tendon strains, suspensory ligament sprains, annular ligament syndrome/inflammation.
- Chronic orthopaedic conditions such as pain associated with arthritis e.g. spavin, caudal foot pain or navicular syndrome.
- Persistent pain associated with active ‘splint’ formation and ‘sore shins’.
- Musculoskeletal disorders of the back- vertebral arthrosis, dorsal spinous process impingement or ‘kissing spines’, sacroiliac strains.
- A non-invasive treatment for angular limb deformities (crooked limbs) in foals.
After a full diagnostic lameness workup, the veterinarian determines if shockwave therapy would be a beneficial and appropriate treatment plan.
The precise treatment protocol depends on the diagnosis of each individual patient. Treatment varies in the number of shockwaves administered and the energy, or depth, of those shockwaves. Most conditions are treated a total of three times spaced at 2-3 week intervals. Occasionally, additional treatments will be required in more severe injuries. The treatments are easily performed at your barn or here at the clinic. Treatments usually take 15-20 minutes. Some patients may require mild sedation.
If shockwave therapy is pursued, a schedule of treatment would be planned using a unit that is portable and can be brought to the farm.
- The shockwave delivers a mildly uncomfortable stimulus, so the horse is usually sedated.
- The site of the injury is cleaned and contact gel is applied.
- A probe that treats at the appropriate depth is chosen, and then 800 to 2000 shocks are applied.
- Treatment is generally repeated at two to three week intervals for three to five sessions.
The horse should be rested for the first week after treatment, then gradually returned to work depending on the underlying injury. If unsoundness persists or the injury requires longer recovery time, the horse would be rested the entire time between treatments.
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