Shockwave Therapy

Shockwaves are high-pressure, low frequency sound waves, generated by a device outside the body and applied to the affected tissue in a site-specific manner. When the shockwaves meet tissue interfaces of different densities, the energy contained in the shockwave is released and interacts with the tissue. The shockwaves appear to relieve pain and accelerate healing within the injured tissue.

Primarily the sound waves provide a mechanism to stimulate the healing process by interacting with the affected structures. In addition, they block pain conduction in the nerves for a period of time. Shockwave Therapy (SWT) was originally used to treat human beings with kidney stones, it allowed for the breaking up of the stones without the need for invasive surgery. More recently, shockwaves have been used to treat a range of orthopedic conditions in both human beings and animals. Besides its use for kidney stones in people, the other common application which is similar to its use in equine medicine, involve treatments for "tennis elbow", heel spurs, tendon issues involving the shoulder and selected non-union fractures. There are multiple equine orthopedic conditions that are similar to these human conditions and involve joint disease, soft tissue injuries and injuries to the interface of ligaments with bone.

Specific conditions that can improve with shockwave therapy are as follows:

1. Caudal Heel Pain (see article on Foot Lameness)

2. Navicular Disease/Syndrome

3. Joint Inflammation

4. Tendon or Ligament Injuries

5. Back Pain

6. Kissing Spines

7. Sacro-iliac Pain

8. Sesamoiditis

9. Splints

10. Ringbone

For years now we have used this treatment modality and have seen benefits in both acute and chronic conditions. Previously for horses that needed this type of therapy we referred them to Tufts Veterinary School or other referral institutions. Now we are able to offer the same service with focused shockwave. Often when horses are referred for advanced diagnostics such as MRI or Nuclear Scans the recommended treatments often include SWT and that can easily be done at your barn or boarding facility. Therapy will generally consist of 2-3 treatments 1-2 weeks apart. If patients are insured this type of therapy is generally covered as this uses focused shockwaves versus radial ones, thus allowing more precision and deeper penetration. Generally the horses stand well for the treatments and no tranquilization is necessary. For more information on SWT: Shockwave Therapy This site has information on the unit that I currently use which is the same one used in many Equine Veterinary Schools and hospitals.