The effects of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy on the ultrasonographic and histologic appearance of collagenase-induced equine forelimb suspensory ligament desmitis.
Abstract: Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) may stimulate healing of desmitis in multiple species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic and histologic appearance of collagenase-induced suspensory ligament (SUL) desmitis in untreated ligaments and ligaments treated with ESWT in horses. Four mature horses had SUL desmitis induced in both forelimbs. Beginning 3 weeks after induction of the lesions, one ligament per horse was treated 3 times at 3-week intervals with ESWT. The percent lesion, echogenicity and fiber alignment scores of the SULs were evaluated at 3-week intervals for a total of 15 weeks. At the completion of the study, the horses were euthanized and the SULs collected, fixed and processed for histopathologic evaluation. Ultrasonography showed treated SULs had a smaller percent lesion at the maximal injury zone (p = 0.001), and the total percent lesion (p = 0.01), total fiber alignment score (p = 0.0167) and total echogenicity (p = 0.0023) were all smaller in the treated ligaments. The fiber alignment score and echogenicity were not statistically different at the maximal injury zone. The treated SULs had a more concentrated area of metachromasia associated with healing than the untreated ligaments, where metachromasia appeared more diffuse throughout the ligament. ESWT improved the rate of healing as assessed ultrasonographically.
Publication Date: 2004-05-04 PubMed ID: 15121248DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2003.12.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focused on investigating how extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) influences the healing of suspensory ligament desmitis in horses. It was discovered that using ESWT results in faster and more efficient healing, as shown by ultrasonography and histopathologic evaluation.
Objective and Methodology of the Research
- The research aimed to examine and contrast the ultrasonographic and histologic appearance of collagenase-induced suspensory ligament (SUL) desmitis in untreated ligaments and ligaments treated with ESWT.
- This study was carried out using four mature horses with induced SUL. The procedure began three weeks after causing the ligament lesions.
- One ligament per horse was treated three times at intervals of three weeks with ESWT. These cases were compared against untreated counterparts.
Data Analysis and Findings
- For a total duration of 15 weeks post-induction, the researchers monitored and assessed the percent lesion, echogenicity, and fiber alignment scores of the SULs at three-week intervals.
- The findings revealed that ligaments treated with ESWT exhibited a lower percentage of lesions at zones of maximum injury. Lesser total percentages of lesions, smaller amounts of total fiber alignment score, and decreased total echogenicity were observed in treated ligaments.
- However, the results displayed no statistically significant discrepancy at maximal injury zones with regards to fiber alignment score and echogenicity.
Outcomes of the Treatment
- Post-treatment examination of the ligaments showed that ESWT-treated SULs demonstrated denser zones of metachromasia related to healing. In contrast, untreated ligaments displayed more scattered metachromasia throughout the ligament structure.
- Ultimately, the study concluded that ESWT had a positive impact on the rate of healing as measured through ultrasonography.
Cite This Article
APA
McClure SR, VanSickle D, Evans R, Reinertson EL, Moran L.
(2004).
The effects of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy on the ultrasonographic and histologic appearance of collagenase-induced equine forelimb suspensory ligament desmitis.
Ultrasound Med Biol, 30(4), 461-467.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2003.12.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. mcclures@iastate.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Collagenases
- Forelimb
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Inflammation / diagnostic imaging
- Inflammation / pathology
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Ligaments, Articular / diagnostic imaging
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / chemically induced
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
- Ultrasonic Therapy / methods
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Toner S, Crosby C. Pro-stride and extracorporeal shockwave therapy as treatment of lateral collateral desmopathy of the proximal interphalangeal joint in a Dutch Warmblood gelding. Can Vet J 2023 Mar;64(3):268-274.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mizobe F, Okada J, Shinzaki Y, Nomura M, Kato T, Yamada K, Spriet M. Use of standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging to assess oblique distal sesamoidean ligament desmitis in three Thoroughbred racehorses. J Vet Med Sci 2016 Oct 1;78(9):1475-1480.
- 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.
- Sun CK, Shao PL, Wang CJ, Yip HK. Study of vascular injuries using endothelial denudation model and the therapeutic application of shock wave: a review. Am J Transl Res 2011 May 15;3(3):259-68.
- Qiu Z, Wang J, Zhang Y, Liu X, Wei C, Ma T. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for equine musculoskeletal disorders: from biological mechanisms to clinical applications. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1719123.
- Guest DJ, Birch HL, Thorpe CT. A review of the equine suspensory ligament: Injury prone yet understudied. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1167-1182.
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