Effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on radiographic and scintigraphic outcomes in horses with palmar heel pain.
Abstract: To investigate the effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (RESWT) on radiographic and scintigraphic variables in horses with clinical pain referable to the palmar heel. Methods: Eight client-owner horses with palmar heel pain were treated with RESWT for a total of three treatments. Nuclear scintigraphy and radiography were repeated at the beginning and completion of the study. Scintigram region of interest (ROI) density ratios were calculated and compared between treated limbs, untreated limbs, and a population of comparison limbs from eight horses free of lameness. Radiographs were scored for whole navicular bone appearance as well as distal border synovial fossae number and severity. Results: There was not any pre- versus post-treatment difference in scintigraphic navicular pool phase or delayed phase ROI density ratios in treated limbs, or between treated and untreated limbs. Delayed phase ROI density was increased in the central navicular region in treated limbs compared to comparison limbs from non-lame horses at both time points. Radiographic scores remained unchanged. Conclusions: RESWT as applied in the present study has no effect on acute palmar heel region scintigraphic or radiographic parameters. Any acute clinical benefit may be due to analgesic effects rather than stimulation of local tissue metabolism.
Publication Date: 2009-03-18 PubMed ID: 19290391DOI: 10.3415/vcot-08-04-0037Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates the effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (RESWT) on radiographic and scintigraphic images in horses experiencing palmar heel pain. The findings suggest that while RESWT might provide acute clinical benefits potentially through pain relief, it does not influence radiographic or scintigraphic parameters related to tissue metabolism in the palmar heel region.
Objective of the Research
- This study aimed to determine the impact of RESWT on radiographic and scintigraphic variables in horses experiencing pain in their palmar heel. The objective of these treatments revolved around understanding the changes caused by the therapy and whether it aided in stimulating local tissue metabolism.
Methods Used in the Study
- The researchers applied RESWT on eight horses owned by clients, each of them suffering from palmar heel pain. The treatment was administered in three sessions.
- The researchers carried out Nuclear scintigraphy, a diagnostic test that visualises how the body’s tissues are functioning, and radiography, an imaging technique used to view the internal form of an object, at the start and end of this study.
- A quantitative approach was used to calculate Scintigram region of interest (ROI) density ratios. These were then compared between the treated limbs, limbs without treatment, and a control group made up of limbs from eight horses devoid of any lameness.
- Radiographs were reviewed and rated according to the appearance of the entire navicular bone and the number and severity of distal border synovial fossae.
Results of the Research
- The study found no significant difference in scintigraphic navicular pool phase or delays in ROI density ratios in the treated limbs, either pre- or post-treatment.
- Compared to the control group from non-lame horses, there was an increase in delayed phase ROI density in the central navicular region in limbs that had received treatment.
- The appearance of the radiographic images remained the same before and after the treatment.
Conclusions Deduced
- Despite RESWT providing acute clinical benefits to horses, perhaps through its analgesic effects, this study concluded that it does not influence acute scintigraphic or radiographic parameters in the palmar heel region.
- As such, the research indicates that RESWT’s acute clinical benefits may not stem from stimulating local tissue metabolism.
Cite This Article
APA
Byron C, Stewart A, Benson B, Tennent-Brown B, Foreman J.
(2009).
Effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on radiographic and scintigraphic outcomes in horses with palmar heel pain.
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 22(2), 113-118.
https://doi.org/10.3415/vcot-08-04-0037 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois 1008 W. Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA. byron@illinois.edu
MeSH Terms
- Analgesia / methods
- Analgesia / veterinary
- Animals
- Female
- Foot Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Foot Diseases / therapy
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Forelimb
- High-Energy Shock Waves / therapeutic use
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Lameness, Animal / therapy
- Male
- Radiography
- Radionuclide Imaging
- Severity of Illness Index
- Tarsal Bones
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Boström A, Bergh A, Hyytiäinen H, Asplund K. Systematic Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine in Sport and Companion Animals: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 12;12(22).
- Wuerfel T, Schmitz C, Jokinen LLJ. The Effects of the Exposure of Musculoskeletal Tissue to Extracorporeal Shock Waves. Biomedicines 2022 May 6;10(5).
- Notarnicola A, Tamma R, Moretti L, Fiore A, Vicenti G, Zallone A, Moretti B. Effects of radial shock waves therapy on osteoblasts activities. Musculoskelet Surg 2012 Dec;96(3):183-9.
- Wang AYL, Aviña AE, Liu YY, Kao HK. Stromal vascular fraction in canine osteoarthritis: advantages, applications, and insights for veterinary practitioners. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1586629.
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