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Peter
Muir BVSc, MVetClinStud, PhD, Diplomate ACVS
Assistant Professor, Small Animal Orthopaedics
Ryland B. Edwards
III DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Large Animal Surgery
This page was last updated: 8/20/2001
Purpose
This web page is meant to provide information to clients considering shockwave therapy for their horse or dog. It is strongly suggested that if this new orthopaedic treatment is of interest to you that you contact the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, or your veterinarian for more information.
History of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Peter Muir and Dr. Ryland Edwards initiated our program in shockwave therapy in 2001. Dr. Muir received his training at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, The University of Sydney, Australia, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Edwards received his training at the University of Georgia, Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We hope that this website will assist you in evaluating whether shockwave therapy would be appropriate for you and your horse or dog.
General Information
What is extracorporeal shockwave therapy?
Extracorporeal shockwaves are high-pressure, low frequency sound waves, generated by a device outside the body and applied to the affected tissue in a site-specific manner. This type of therapy was originally used to treat human beings with kidney stones, by breaking up the stones without the need for invasive surgery. More recently, shockwaves have been used to treat a range of orthopaedic conditions in both human beings and animals.
When the shockwaves meet tissue interfaces of different densities, the energy contained in the shockwaves is released and interacts with the tissue. The shockwaves appear to relieve pain and accelerate healing within the injured tissue, although the mechanism for these effects is unclear.
What conditions may benefit from treatment with shockwaves?
Extracorporeal shock waves are indicated for the treatment of various orthopaedic conditions that cause lameness in both horses and dogs.
Horses
Conditions that may benefit from shockwave therapy include:
Dogs
Conditions that may benefit from shockwave therapy include:
Patient Selection for Shockwave Therapy
Before shockwave therapy can be used, a patient with lameness will need a thorough investigation to determine the painful site in the affect leg. Lameness investigation usually includes a general physical examination, an orthopaedic physical examination, and radiography.
Horses
In equine patients it may be necessary to perform nerve blocks, intraarticular anesthesia, an ultrasound examination, or a bone scan using nuclear scintigraphy.
Dogs
In canine patients, it may be necessary to perform arthroscopy, and ultrasound examination, or a bone scan using nuclear scintigraphy.
Application of the Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Sedation of the patient is required for application of the therapy, which takes 5 to 10 minutes for each treatment session. Usually 3 to 5 treatment sessions are given with an interval of 10 to 30 days between sessions. After completion of the course of treatment, an additional convalescent period of 2 to 4 weeks is required before the patient can return to work.
How does Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Work?
The shockwaves are thought to interact with affected tissue to relieve pain and accelerate healing. However, the mechanism of action is unclear. It is thought that the shockwaves may interact with the innervation of the affected tissue, or alter the metabolism of cells within the tissue, which will in turn beneficially influence the tissue repair response to injury. The Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory is actively studying how the shockwaves interact with musculoskeletal tissue.
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