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Research in veterinary science2018; 119; 232-238; doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.06.003

Short- and long term follow-up of 150 sports horses diagnosed with tendinopathy or desmopathy by ultrasonographic examination and treated with high-power laser therapy.

Abstract: No abstract available
Publication Date: 2018-06-20 PubMed ID: 30005398DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.06.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research studied the use of high-power laser therapy to treat tendon and ligament injuries in sport horses. The results and data collected from this study will help to determine if this treatment method is effective and can be applied safely.

Overview of Tendinopathy and Desmopathy in Sport Horses

  • Tendinopathy and desmopathy are common injuries in sport horses, and are often career-ending due to the difficulty and time associated with healing.
  • Traditional treatment methods have had varied results, ranging from injections, medication, surgery and shockwave therapy.
  • Due to the limitations and variable outcomes of these treatments, new forms of treatment are constantly being sought out.

Use of Low-Power Laser Therapy

  • Low-power laser therapy, with a power output of less than 500 mW, has been used in both human and veterinary medicine for many years.
  • Research has shown it to have biological effects such as increased cell proliferation, collagen production, alignment of collagen fibers, increased tendon strength and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory mediators.
  • However, the effect of low-power laser therapy on deeper tissues is not sufficient, making its efficacy in treating deeper injuries like tendinopathy inconsistent.

Introduction to High-Power Laser Therapy

  • In human medicine, high-power laser therapy (output > 500 mW) is used to treat various injuries including tendinopathies and orthopedic sports injuries.
  • This treatment has recently been made available in the field of veterinary medicine; however, there is currently no published data on its efficacy.

Purpose and Hypothesis of the Study

  • The goal of this study was to gather data on the potential clinical value of high-power laser therapy by assessing the short and long-term outcomes in 150 sport horses diagnosed with tendinopathy or desmopathy.
  • The hypothesis, based on the researchers’ previous clinical experiences, was that high-power laser therapy could be applied safely and render outcomes at least as effective as those from other reported treatment methods.

Cite This Article

APA
Pluim M, Martens A, Vanderperren K, Sarrazin S, Koene M, Luciani A, van Weeren PR, Delesalle C. (2018). Short- and long term follow-up of 150 sports horses diagnosed with tendinopathy or desmopathy by ultrasonographic examination and treated with high-power laser therapy. Res Vet Sci, 119, 232-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.06.003

Publication

ISSN: 1532-2661
NlmUniqueID: 0401300
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 119
Pages: 232-238

Researcher Affiliations

Pluim, M
  • Department of Virology, Parasitology & Immunology, Research Group Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Tierklinik Luesche, Essernerstrase 39a, 49456 Bakum, Germany. Electronic address: mpluim@tierklinik-luesche.de.
Martens, A
  • Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of domestic animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Vanderperren, K
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Sarrazin, S
  • Department of obstetrics, Reproduction and herd health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Koene, M
  • Tierklinik Luesche, Essernerstrase 39a, 49456 Bakum, Germany.
Luciani, A
  • Tierklinik Luesche, Essernerstrase 39a, 49456 Bakum, Germany.
van Weeren, P R
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584, CL, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Delesalle, C
  • Department of Virology, Parasitology & Immunology, Research Group Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.

Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.
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