The Horse

JUN 2017

The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.

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27 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 BoneWise TM Did you know bone density and strength decline during layup and confi nement? Available only through your veterinarian. Developed by: KPPvet.com, 859-873-2974 A unique source of calcium and minerals that maintain bone density and strength. TH 2017-06b Shock wave therapy directs high-energy, microtrauma-inducing sound waves at areas of injury. DUSTY PERIN

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