Shockwave therapy is an adjunctive treatment modality that is most commonly used to treat tendon and ligament injuries in the lower leg of the horse. Shockwave can also be used as a component of treatment for non-healing fractures, stress fractures, and back pain associated with kissing spine.

 

The machine used for this therapy creates high pressure shockwaves that are sent into a specific site or injured area for a varying amount of time. This non-invasive procedure has been shown to reduce inflammation and promote healing. When the shock waves meet tissue interfaces (bone/soft tissue interface), they stimulate a variety of cellular effects including an increase in blood flow, activation of osteogenic factors (laying down new bone), and a direct pain-relieving effect. A complete shockwave treatment typically involves multiple treatments over a period of weeks or months.

 

Shockwave therapy has been used successfully as a component of treatment for the following conditions:

• Bowed tendons

• Suspensory ligament injuries

• Stress fractures

• Splint bone fractures

• Vertebral spinal pain and kissing spine

• Sacro-iliac conditions

• Bucked shins

• Navicular syndrome

• Bone spavin (osteoarthritis of the lower hock joints)