Focused Shockwave
Treatment is done on an outpatient basis at the clinic. The horse requires only mild sedation
so it remains standing during the procedure. Treatments usually take 30-45 minutes. We use a
direction head shockwave system from High Medical Technologies (HMT, a leader in the field)
that generates pressure waves. The non-invasive shockwaves stimulate immune-competent cells
and trigger the body’s natural repair mechanisms, promoting healing and pain relief
without side effects.
Shockwave therapy is recommended for a variety of conditions. Fractures, stress
fractures, joint diseases, navicular syndrome, sore back and kissing spine disease are
some of the conditions successfully treated.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Ultrasound waves stimulate cells and induce them to repair damaged tissue.
Strength and duration of the waves are adjusted to optimize a healthy healing response. Ultrasound therapy is effective for soft tissue and superficial
bone injuries, less so for deeper bone injuries because the waves do not well
penetrate dense bone.
Therapeutic ultrasound stimulates tissue more than therapeutic lasers or diagnostic ultrasound, but less than shock wave therapy.
Stemcell / Bone Marrow Origin
Ligament and tendon injuries are common in athletic horses, and are often slow to heal with a high recurrence rate.
Stem cell therapy can be of help. The technique is the same as that used by orthopedic surgeons in human medicine,
for example to treat torn Achilles heels or other ligament tears. Stem cell therapy is one of several
important and promising medical advances of recent years. Bone marrow is taken from the equine patient,
and then the regenerative
tissue-healing substances, such as stem
cells and growth factors, are injected into the troubled area.
The procedure requires a general anesthetic.
The bone marrow is typically
removed from the horse’s sternum, with the needle guided by ultrasound.
IRAP Joint Therapy
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein has been used worldwide
by veterinary surgeons since about 2006.
In this innovative treatment, protein products are harvested
from the horse and amplified in vitro, then injected back into the affected joints.
Because the protein products are derived from the animal’s own blood, and
are not a medicine, the possibility of allergic or anaphylactic side
effects is drastically reduced. These proteins can decrease inflammation,
and subsequent joint damage, early in the inflammation process. IRAP can
promote and prolong joint health, and with fewer side effects than typical
medicine treatment.
PRP/ACP for Orthopedic Therapy
Platelet Rich Plasma is a growing field of interest for orthopedic conditions,
including for example to improve knee arthritis or tendonitis. The process involves drawing
blood and concentrating elements using a centrifuge.
The natural healing benefits of plasma include the effect of platelets, which release
growth and other substances that induce healing. PRP is sometimes known as Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP).
Cryotherapy
uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy sarcoids,
which are common,
usually benign, skin tumors.
Laser (CO2 and Diode)
Carbon dioxide and diode lasers are used for a variety of therapeutic purposes, including to speed the healing of tendon, ligament, fracture and muscle injuries, and to relieve
painful conditions and inflammation. The laser also effectively addresses skin tumors and assorted
wounds, and tissue granulation.
direction head shockwave system from High Medical Technologies (HMT, a leader in the field)
that generates pressure waves. The non-invasive shockwaves stimulate immune-competent cells
and trigger the body’s natural repair mechanisms, promoting healing and pain relief
without side effects.
