Treatment FAQ

what is equine shockwave treatment

by Ana Powlowski Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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In horses, shockwave therapy can be used to treat:

  • Digital flexor tendonitis
  • Proximal suspensory desmitis
  • Suspensory branch desmitis
  • Arthritis of the spine
  • Kissing spines
  • Splint exostosis
  • Decrease lameness associated with navicular syndrome
  • Sesamoiditis and sesamoid fractures

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a noninvasive modality (extracorporeal means “outside the body”) that uses sound waves to stimulate healing in wounds, ligaments, tendons and bony structures. Horses are usually sedated for the therapy session and treatments last no longer than 30 minutes.

Full Answer

How equine therapy can help in recovery?

  • Assertiveness
  • Emotional awareness
  • Empathy
  • Stress tolerance
  • Flexibility
  • Impulse control
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Self-actualization
  • Independence
  • Self-regard

More items...

What do you do in an equine therapy session?

  • This is an informal group support setting – you’re all in this together
  • Wait and listen for each person to speak
  • They will discuss and come up with realizations themselves, it’s not for you to point out – you just listen!
  • Allow about 10 minutes for this

What is equine therapy used to treat?

Equine therapy, or equine-assisted therapy, is a form of therapy used to treat substance abuse and certain mental health conditions, among other issues. A trained professional leads the therapy and helps guide participants through interactions with a horse.

How to choose the best shockwave therapy machine?

  • Application energy: 5-200mj
  • High shock frequency: 1 – 16 Hz / pps (pulses per second)
  • New digital shockwave therapy handpiece
  • #5 tip for prostate, #6 and #7 tips especially for penis
  • Bullet lifetime up to 3 million shocks
  • Shockwave therapy generation: electromagnetic

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Is shockwave therapy painful for horses?

Although people who have experienced shockwave say the energy pulses are extremely painful, McClure said that most horses he has treated are content to stand for the procedure without any sort of anesthetic, although they do usually receive a mild sedative to keep them still.

How much does shockwave therapy cost for horses?

Most body sites require between 1000 and 1500 pulses (waves) per treatment session and between two and three sessions at 2 week intervals. Based on an average billing structure nationwide, most veterinarians charge about $0.3 to $0.4 per pulse or $300 to $400 per thousand pulse session.

How long do the effects of shockwave therapy last?

From our own experience and the studies on shockwave therapy, most patients will feel a significant clinical benefit in their pain 6 to 8 weeks after treatment. The studies show that this improvement in pain continues for months and even years after your final shockwave session has finished (Moya, et al 2018).

What conditions can shockwave therapy treat?

Shockwave TherapyPlantar Fasciitis.Achilles Tendonopathy.Retrocalcaneal Bursitis.Lateral Epicondylosis (Tennis Elbow)Medial Epicondylosis (Golfer's Elbow)Calcific Tendonitis (supraspinatus tendon, etc.)Patellar Tendinosis (Jumper's Knee)Morton's Neuroma.More items...

Why is shockwave therapy illegal in horses?

In racehorses, however, masking pain can come with a cost: overworked minor injuries could lead to major ones—or even pose a life-threatening risk to both horse and rider. For that reason, horseracing authorities have banned the use of ESWT for horses within 10 days of a race or sporting event.

What does PEMF do for horses?

PEMF therapy can improve performance, range of motion, speed & strength. It reduces inflammation & relieves pain and can be used to calm a horse mentally before going into the show ring.

How painful is shockwave treatment?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment, but you might feel a little pain or discomfort in the treatment area during the procedure. Most patients say it feels like small pulses against the skin. Your specialist may be able to adjust the way they use the shockwave device if your pain is significant.

What should you not do after shockwave?

You should be able to continue your usual activities following shockwave treatment. We would suggest avoiding any strenuous exercises or impact, such as running, for the first 48 hours. However, it is important to continue with the exercises given to you by the physiotherapist, such as stretching your plantar fascia.

What are the side effects of shockwave therapy?

Side effects from ESWT are limited to mild bruising, swelling, pain, numbness or tingling in the treated area, and the recovery is minimal compared with that of surgical intervention. "Most patients take a day or two off after treatment but don't require a prolonged recovery period," says Dr.

Does shockwave treatment work?

ESWT is a minimally invasive treatment that is particularly effective in treating long-standing conditions. Most studies show that shockwave therapy can notably reduce the pain and suffering associated with Plantar Fasciitis.

Can shockwave therapy be done at home?

Fact Check: At home treatment devices are the same as a shockwave device used in a medical clinic. The answer is NO. A very firm NO. At home devices are most definitely not the same as a true shockwave device used by physicians in a clinical and research setting.

How often should you do shockwave therapy?

How often will I need the treatment? Most indications require 3–5 treatments which are done 3–10 days apart, depending on the patient's tolerance and their tissue response.

Shock Wave Therapy 101

Refer to GR414.4 in the Rulebook to understand the rules and restrictions on USEF competitions and the use of shock wave.

Refer to GR414.4 in the Rulebook to understand the rules and restrictions on USEF competitions and the use of shock wave

Refer to GR414.4 in the Rulebook to understand the rules and restrictions on USEF competitions and the use of shock wave.

How many horses have improved after suspensory desmitis?

The first clinical reports from two separate universities indicated seven of eight and five of six horses improved following treatment.

How long does ESW therapy last?

For example, ESW therapy is not permitted during competition and for a period of five days prior to the first Horse Inspection.

How are radial pressure waves created?

Radial pressure waves are created by a pneumatically driven device to strike the surface. This creates a pressure wave, but the parameters of the wave are different, however they continue to be confused and incorrectly lumped together. The waveforms have different energy levels and different depths of penetration.

How is a pressure wave brought to a focal point?

In all three mechanisms, the pressure wave is brought to a focal point by lenses or a parabolic reflector. This mechanism allows the energy in the wave to aim at a specific point within the tissue. There are differences between extracorporeal shock waves (ESWs) and radial pressure waves (RPWs). Radial pressure waves are created by ...

What is shock wave?

A shock wave is an acoustic (pressure) wave with very high amplitude and rapid rise time. There are multiple ways to generate a shock wave. The pressure wave can be instituted by vaporization of fluid across a spark gap (electrohydraulic), expansion of piezoelectric crystals (piezoelectric), or pushing a membrane with opposite electrical current ...

Is ESW therapy good for horses?

Data from bone-healing studies would indicate ESW therapy would be beneficial in treating fractures in horses. However, it has not been pursued as aggressively as may have been expected. This could be related to case management, where complete fractures are often inaccessible because of the application of casts.

Can shock wave therapy help with distal limb wounds?

Recent studies in the horse show distal limb wounds can be stimulated to heal faster following shock wave therapy. Another study showed shock wave treated distal limb wounds had less inflammation and less exuberant granulation tissue. While the positives of this therapy are being evaluated, the negatives must be considered.

What is the treatment protocol for shockwave therapy?

Shockwave Therapy. The treatment protocol for shockwave therapy depends on the diagnosis of each individual patient. Treatment varies with the number of shockwaves and their energy levels.

Why do we need shockwave therapy?

This means shockwave therapy may be indicated earlier in the disease timeline to protect the joint and slow the progression of osteoarthritis, leading to a more active life, better quality of life, and fewer treatments with intra-articular injections and NSAIDS.

How long does it take for a shockwave to heal?

Over the next two to three weeks, actual healing will take place. It is important to note that shockwave therapy does not necessarily speed up the healing process, but will generally lead to a higher success rate and a better end result.

How are shockwaves transmitted?

The shockwaves are transmitted readily from the transducer head, through ultrasound coupling gel and soft tissue, and the energy of the wave is released at a specific depth, depending on the transducer head being used.

What type of wave does a shockwave machine generate?

Some that are marketed as shockwave machines do not generate a true shockwave. They generate what is called a ballistic or radial wave. The physics of this type of wave are completely different from that of a true shockwave. These machines look like a small jackhammer.

What is shockwave in water?

But so is the ripple you see in water when you throw a rock into a pond. A shockwave is simply a pressure wave, or a high frequency sound wave. Any action that displaces the surrounding medium is a shockwave.

Where are shockwaves directed?

The shockwaves are focused in the transducer head of the machine, and can be directed to a precise area of an injury. The shockwaves are transmitted readily from the transducer head, through ultrasound coupling gel and soft tissue, and the energy of the wave is released at a specific depth, depending on the transducer head being used.

What is shock wave therapy?

What is shock wave therapy? Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) focuses a highly concentrated, powerful acoustical (sound) energy source to a focal area. The shock waves induce increased activity of bone-producing cells and might also lead to increased circulation in the focal region. As a result, the focal area undergoes a more rapid healing process than if left untreated. In addition,

What happens when you get shock waves?

The shock waves induce increased activity of bone-producing cells and might also lead to increased circulation in the focal region. As a result, the focal area undergoes a more rapid healing process than if left untreated.

How long does it take for a horse to heal from shockwave?

Most horses improve quickly with responses being seen in 7-10 days. Shockwave is a great option for treating several common horse injuries and conditions. It is non-invasive and well-tolerated by horses. It speeds healing and improves the quality of repair of tissue. It is affordable and covered by most insurance plans.

How long has shockwave therapy been used?

Shockwave therapy has been used in the U.S. in veterinary medicine for approximately 12 years. It has been used successfully to treat animals with both acute and chronic soft tissue injuries, bone and joint disease, and back pain.

What is the function of shockwave acoustic waves?

This micro-manipulation of the denser body tissues such as ligaments, tendons and bone by the shockwave acoustic (sound) wave stimulates neovascularization (growth of new blood vessels in tissue) and the production of fibroblasts and osteons (cells that heal tendon, ligament and bone). The cellular “deep tissue massage” produced by shockwave ...

How many shockwaves are needed for a body site?

Most body sites require between 1000 and 1500 pulses (waves) per treatment session and between two and three sessions at 2 week intervals.

What is a shock wave?

A shockwave is a pressure wave – any action that displaces its surrounding medium is a shockwave. The ripple created when a stone is thrown into a pond is a shockwave. It has nothing to do with “shocking” or electricity.

Who makes Versatron shockwaves?

The VersaTron system manufactured by Saunawave ( www.saunawave.com ) is currently the only electro-hydraulic shockwave equipment designed specifically for use in the equine industry. It is FDA approved. It is the equipment currently in use at the majority of university level research facilities.

Can a shockwave machine be a shockwave?

Absolutely not. There are several machines currently marketed as shockwave machines that do not generate a true shockwave. They generate what is called a ballistic or radial wave. The physics of this type of wave are completely different from that of a true shockwave.

What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave Therapy, properly called Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a therapy that has been recently adapted from human medicine for use in the horse. We have had excellent success using it to improve the prognosis of high suspensory ligament injuries. In fact it is one of the only treatments ...

How does pressure wave work on horses?

These pressure waves have been shown to help with improving blood supply , improving the horse’s natural repair mechanisms. They have also been shown to have an effect on the nerves supplying pain sensation, and make them less sensitive to pain. This gives a pain-killing effect in addition to stimulating healing.

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