Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
Relatively new- adapted from human medicine to be used in horses
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (EWST)
Examples of injuries it can treat are: sacro-iliac injury, navicular disease, callateral ligament injuries, proximal suspensory desmitis
Machine uses high intensity pressure wave which travels through fluid and tissue to focus on the point of injury
Can be done in a hospital or at the yard- easy to transport
'One of the most beneficial treatments for injury to the soft tissue-bone interface, attachment of ligament to bone'
Stimulates and accelerates the healing process
Has an immediate analgesic (pain killing) effect so helps in aid of recovery
Different impulse levels from the machine- makes it suitable for variability
Most injuries require around a 1000-2000 impulse level with a session every 2-3 weeks and treatments usually take approximately 3 sessions. Therefore, it is efficient and effective.
Reduces inflammation
Treatment and therapy schedule will depend on severity and location of injury
The type and location of the injury determines the energy required, the depth of focus, and the number of pulses the tissue requires
It is often advised a horse has box rest or limited exercise between treatment for effective healing
ESWT has the ability to provide pain relief for those horses with chronic conditions such as kissing spines, mild proximal suspensory desmitis, and neck osteoarthritis
Really seems to help the horse's ability to perform.
Shock waves are thought to increase the blood supply to the treated area
stimulate cells to rebuild injured tissues
Minimal side affects- virtually none
Treats lumbosacral and other back pain
Can be used to treat bone spavin
Lots of research behind this therapy: Research has demonstrated that in the suspensory ligament ESWT has been shown to increase formation of collagen fibrils and growth factors.Tendon injuries treated with shock wave therapy showed more mature and parallel collagen fibres and increased new blood supply when compared to untreated controls
There are two types of shock wave therapy devices: radial and focused shock wave modalities
Based off of a German technique used on humans, now been transferred onto horses
The effects of shock wave therapy are dose dependent
EWST is a much deeper concentrated therapy type with higher intensity and wavelengths are shorter. RSWT targets surface issues with longer waves