Extracorpeal Shock Wave Therapy

A shock wave is a high-energy sound wave treatment that creates a pressure wave through a focal point of treatment. While originally used for the treatment of bladder stones in humans, its use has expanded to the treatment of orthopedic and soft-tissue conditions in humans and horses. This non-invasive treatment can be an excellent adjunct to the treatment of many conditions seen in horses including soft tissue injury, osteoarthritis, bone fractures, wounds, and back pain. Shock wave therapy can be used to help stimulate healing in fracture cases where bone healing is delayed, to improve quality of healing in tendon & ligament injury, to improve blood supply in inflamed tissue, and to provide pain control. Due to its ability to provide significant pain control, there are limitations on its use during Equine Canada and FEI competitions. Reach out to one of the veterinarians at Burwash Equine Services if you are wondering if shockwave therapy may be appropriate for your horse.