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June 2017 THE HORSE TheHorse.com
therapies during this time.
Grisel says that in his professional
experience, these modalities typically are
neither harmful nor curative. He hasn't
observed much difference between horses
treated with these re-injury modalities
and those that haven't been. "Overall, it
has been a little disappointing."
But in many cases, he points out, these
methods were implemented during the
acute (immediate) phase of injury, when
the inflammatory response was already
in place. This is the phase when vet-
erinarians should be trying to alleviate
inflammation via modalities such as cold
therapy.
Over the past two decades, veterinar-
ians have added extracorporeal shock
wave therapy (ESWT) to their treatment
arsenal. They use it to help treat a variety
of soft tissue injuries, including collateral
ligament desmitis of the coffin joint, ten-
donitis, and tendon avulsions (tearing).
"The mechanisms of action of shock
wave therapy have not been completely
clarified, but several benefits have been
suggested, including pain relief, induction
of healing, and dissolution of mineralized
areas in soft tissues," says Smith.
Researchers have found shock wave
to be particularly effective at returning
horses to function from ligament injuries
such as hind-limb proximal suspensory
desmopathy ( TheHorse.com/37077).
However, says Smith, "there is limited
evidence for a role of ESWT in inducing
repair. In my opinion, its role is in allevi-
ating pain."
Surgeries: Hit or MIss
In humans, as well as in some dogs,
tendons and ligaments can be repaired
with surgery. In fact, autograft surgeries
Ask your vet about
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TH 2017-06b
Shock wave therapy directs high-energy, microtrauma-inducing sound waves at areas of injury.
DUSTY
PERIN