It’s been called the wave of the future. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has become an emerging new technology for treating musculoskeletal problems, soft-tissue and bone injuries in horses. A non-invasive therapy, shock wave therapy does not use electrical pulses, but rather high-energy pulses, much like sound waves.
It was originally used in veterinary medicine to break up kidney stones, but veterinary practitioners have recently discovered more uses for shock wave therapy.
“You don’t always see 100 percent improvement (with ESWT), but you sure do see a great deal of improvement,” says Dr. Kim Sergent, a practitioner at All County Equine Services (A.C.E.S.) in San Diego County’s Alpine. “It certainly has been very successful in treating hock arthritis, which is pretty common in horses. I’ve also seen ESWT have a great deal of success treating tendon injuries, heel pain and trigger points. In the past, once you’ve tried corrective shoeing for navicular there weren’t a lot of other options available except invasive surgeries. ESWT gives people another option.”
Smaller, portable ESWT units now allow veterinarians, like Sergent, to treat horses at their own stables instead of at a clinic. The ESWT unit generates a high-intensity pressure wave which is targeted from outside the body at an internal injury site. The depths the shockwave probes vary depending on the type and severity of the injury being treated. Though the process is not painful, horses are usually sedated as the pulse can startle them.
The pulse waves enhance healing by triggering natural repair mechanisms which accelerate healing and relieve pain. Though the actual mode in which the waves stimulate healing is still being disputed, Sergent has little doubt about its success.
“I used ESWT on a horse which had pretty serious tendonitis in both his front legs,” explains the veterinarian. “It had been going on for a long time; both legs were puffy and sore. I had tried every conventional method and I didn’t know what else to try. I came back a week after the first treatment and his legs were beautiful. No swelling and no pain!”
Sergent has been performing shock wave therapy for clients at A.C.E.S. for the past six months. Each treatment session takes 10 to 15 minutes and most injuries require three to five treatment sessions. Kim recommends at least two days rest after the treatment.
“Not only has ESWT been gaining in popularity over the past few years, it’s also become far more affordable,” says Kim. “The price is almost half of what it was just five years ago. The ESWT units are less expensive and more readily available now; they used to be outlandishly expensive. This now makes ESWT reasonably priced for most horse people and gives them that second option when dealing with injuries. It’s really nice to be able to give clients another option.”
For more information about Shock Wave Therapy or to schedule a session, call All County Equine Services at 619-659-3532 or email them at info@acequine.com.