If you read our recent blog about the Smart RLT Laser you will know that we love utilizing the latest and greatest technologies to provide top of the line treatment for our equine clients. We use the Pulse Shockwave with a similar mentality to the Smart RLT Laser, with the goal of providing non-invasive, advanced treatment to an injured area that will help a horse heal faster and heal better.
The PulseVet Shockwave is a really revolutionary piece of technology that allows us to treat injuries with high levels of sound waves that focus on bringing blood circulation into the specific area that we want to heal. This is known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) or simply “shockwave.” It helps to increase the rate of tissue healing in injuries that occur in the neck, kissing spine, back pain and any injury where the ligament comes off the bone, such as a collateral ligament or suspensory ligament. The Shockwave can also be used to help manage pain in horses with chronic injuries or pain issues. We have found it to be a wonderful supplemental therapy in our performance horses and that it can help to boost performance as the technology is helping the horses muscles repair faster in between shows.
Studies have shown that in horses who have back pain and received shockwave therapy 89% of those horses saw an accelerated recovery rate with results lasting for more than 6 months if not permanently. In another study looking at horses suffering from chronic lameness in association with navicular, the use of Shockwave therapy decreased the horses lameness scores on an average of 1 full point for at least 6 months after treatment. In looking at horses suffering from Osteoarthritis, Shockwave treatment showed a significant decrease in lameness symptoms starting 14 days after treatment began in addition to seeing flexion rates in all horses increase.
Many of our clients consistently ask how they can see that Shockwave therapy is actually working on their horses. Since we use this technology in quite a few neck and back issues, most of our clients are able to feel a difference more than see a difference in their horses. They feel the difference in the horse’s range of motion and flexibility as they ride, resulting in a horse that now moves easier and more fluidly than before receiving Shockwave therapy.
In order to determining if your horse should receive shockwave therapy we utilize the following process:
We complete an evaluation of your horse to determine if there are any subtle regions where Dr. McRae can detect a pain response. The neck, back, pelvis and limbs are put through range of motion specific to the different joints and then taken to the point of tension. In this evaluation, the joints, tendons and ligaments are also palpated. Next, the horse is observed in motion on straight lines and circles to determine asymmetries in movement and lameness if it’s present. Flexions are performed on the horse on a case by case basis. If areas of tension/restriction/pain are identified we may proceed with diagnostic nerve blocks or imaging using radiographs and/or ultrasound. Excellent candidates for extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) include neck pain, back pain, and ligament injuries at the bone interface.
If you think your horse has an injury or chronic pain issue where you would like to try shockwave therapy, give us a call to schedule a consultation.
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