Shockwave, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive therapy used to treat soft-tissue and orthopedic injuries. “Extracorporeal” indicates that the treatment is given from outside the horse’s body. The shockwave is an acoustic pressure wave that causes biochemical changes in living tissue stimulating healing. Initially developed in human medicine to break up kidney stones, ESWT was then adapted to treat human pseudoarthrosis (non-unions) with the first successful case reported in 1988. Now, it is widely used in human and veterinary medicine, along with other modalities, to treat musculoskeletal problems.

The shockwave machine consists of a therapy source, or probe, attached to a generator. Together, the generator and probe, create and focus an acoustic pressure wave to target and reach peak pressure at a specific point or area within a tissue. This pressure wave then creates biochemical changes within that tissue, such as:

• Increased blood flow

• Osteogenic factors (bone stimulation)

• Analgesic effects (pain relief)

• Regulated and reduced inflammation

• Chondroprotective effects

There are several different shockwave systems available. One very common system, an electrohydrolic system, uses a spark plug to create the energy necessary for the shockwave - this is very loud and often not tolerated by horses without sedation. However, our shockwave machine, uses a piezoelectric system to create the shockwave through high pressure — this system is quiet, the intensity is easy to adjust, and it typically requires no sedation.

Shockwave therapy is commonly used to treat:

• Tendinopathy/Tendinitis

• Desmitis, such as proximal suspensory desmitis

• Navicular syndrome

• Overriding dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines)

• Sacroiliac (SI) pain and dysfunction

• Back pain

• Osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease, such as bone spavin

• Wounds

• Stress fractures

• Splint bone fractures

Shockwave therapy is a safe, non-invasive, outpatient procedure — so it can be performed right in your barn. The only things required are a safe working space and access to electricity!

Our shockwave machine, the PiezoWave, is very quiet and typically very well tolerated without sedation. In addition, our machine has various settings which allows us to adjust the treatment to each horse’s needs and comfort level.

Appointments typically take about 10-15 minutes, depending on how many areas are being treated. When combined with chiropractic or acupuncture appointments will take closer to 45-60 minutes.

One treatment area typically requires about 1000 shocks and pricing is based on the total number of shocks used. A typical treatment regimen requires a total of one to four treatments at two- to four-week intervals.

Based on the individual horse, we will determine the focal area(s), the number of shocks, and the ideal treatment regimen for your horse’s needs.