Effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in the horse.
Abstract: To evaluate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on collagenase-induced lesions in the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) of horses. Methods: Paired, blinded controlled study. Methods: Eight Thoroughbred horses (3 mares, 5 geldings; mean ± SD weight, 464 ± 26 kg, mean age, 8 ± 1.7 years). Methods: Lesions were created in both ALDDFTs of all horses by injection of 2 × 10(3) IU of collagenase type I. Percent lesion and structure (fiber alignment and echogenicity) were quantified with ultrasonographic imaging 3, 6, and 9 weeks after collagenase injection. After ultrasound examinations, ESWT (1000 shocks at 0.15 mJ/mm2) was applied to 1 ALDDFT in each horse. ALDDFT were harvested 15 weeks after collagenase injection and the microstructure, mRNA levels of collagen types I and III, and collagen and glycosaminoglycan content were evaluated. Results: There were no differences in percent lesion, echogenicity, or fiber alignment between control- and ESWT-treated ligaments at each evaluation time; however, compared with 3-week values, there was a significant increase in percent lesion and echogenicity for EWST treated ligaments at 6 weeks and significant decrease in both variables for treated and control ligaments at 12 weeks. Fiber alignment improved significantly at 9 weeks in controls and at 12 weeks in treated and control ligaments. Collagen type I mRNA levels were significantly higher in the ESWT treatment group compared with the control group 15 weeks after collagenase injection though differences in other mRNA levels, microstructure, and composition were not significant. Conclusions: Our results do not support an effect of ESWT on collagenase-induced lesions in the equine ALDDFT.
© Copyright 2011 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2011-03-11 PubMed ID: 21395618DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2011.00800.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research paper explores the effects of shock wave therapy on lesions in a specific tendon in horses. Although it found that shock wave therapy led to higher levels of a collagen-related protein, it concluded that it did not significantly influence the healing of the tendon.
Objective of the Study
- This study aimed to assess the effects of an established medical treatment method, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), on injuries in a specific tendon in horses, called the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT). This tendon was induced with lesions using an enzyme called collagenase type I.
Methodology
- Eight Thoroughbred horses were selected for this study, with an average weight of 464 kg and an average age of 8 years.
- Lesions were created in the ALDDFT in each horse using an injection of collagenase type I, which breaks down collagen in tissues, disintegrating the normal structure of the tendon and inducing injury.
- After creating the lesions, ESWT was applied to one ALDDFT in each horse and the results were compared to the non-treated ALDDFT in each horse, serving as a control group.
- The percentage of the lesion and the structure of the tendon were analyzed using ultrasonographic imaging 3, 6, and 9 weeks after the collagenase injection.
- Finally, the tendons were harvested 15 weeks after the injection and were evaluated for their microstructure, mRNA levels of collagen types I and III, and collagen and glycosaminoglycan content.
Results
- The results revealed no significant differences in the percentage of the lesion, echogenicity, or fiber alignment between the ESWT-treated tendons and the control group, suggesting that ESWT did not significantly aid in tendon healing.
- However, collagen type I mRNA levels were significantly higher in the ESWT-treated tendons, implying that ESWT may have stimulated the synthesis of collagen I, a major structural protein in tendons. But this rise in collagen I did not seem to influence the overall healing of the tendon.
- There was also no significant changes observed in the other evaluated variables, including mRNA levels of collagen III, microstructure, and composition of the tendons.
Conclusion
- The results of this study do not support a significant effect of ESWT on healing collagenase-induced lesions in the equine ALDDFT. While ESWT seems to influence collagen I production, this did not result in a significant improvement in tendon structure or overall healing process.
Cite This Article
APA
Waguespack RW, Burba DJ, Hubert JD, Vidal MA, Lomax LG, Chirgwin SR, Lopez MJ.
(2011).
Effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in the horse.
Vet Surg, 40(4), 450-456.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2011.00800.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. rww0001@auburn.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Forelimb / injuries
- Forelimb / pathology
- High-Energy Shock Waves / therapeutic use
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Inflammation / therapy
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Ligaments / injuries
- Ligaments / pathology
- Male
- RNA, Messenger / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- MacKay AV, McOnie RC, Riddell LP, Robinson KA. Characterization of the use of shock wave therapy among equine veterinarians. Can Vet J 2020 Sep;61(9):990-993.
- Liao CD, Xie GM, Tsauo JY, Chen HC, Liou TH. Efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for knee tendinopathies and other soft tissue disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2018 Aug 2;19(1):278.
- Seabaugh KA, Thoresen M, Giguère S. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Increases Growth Factor Release from Equine Platelet-Rich Plasma In Vitro. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:205.
- Raabe O, Shell K, Goessl A, Crispens C, Delhasse Y, Eva A, Scheiner-Bobis G, Wenisch S, Arnhold S. Effect of extracorporeal shock wave on proliferation and differentiation of equine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Am J Stem Cells 2013;2(1):62-73.
- Xavier M, de Souza RA, Pires VA, Santos AP, Aimbire F, Silva JA Jr, Albertini R, Villaverde AB. Low-level light-emitting diode therapy increases mRNA expressions of IL-10 and type I and III collagens on Achilles tendinitis in rats. Lasers Med Sci 2014 Jan;29(1):85-90.
- Spaas JH, Guest DJ, Van de Walle GR. Tendon regeneration in human and equine athletes: Ubi Sumus-Quo Vadimus (where are we and where are we going to)?. Sports Med 2012 Oct 1;42(10):871-90.
- Casalechi HL, Leal-Junior EC, Xavier M, Silva JA Jr, de Carvalho Pde T, Aimbire F, Albertini R. Low-level laser therapy in experimental model of collagenase-induced tendinitis in rats: effects in acute and chronic inflammatory phases. Lasers Med Sci 2013 May;28(3):989-95.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
