At Powder River Vet, we are committed to providing you with the best possible care for your horse. To this end, we are now introducing a new technology into our practice: Versatron Shock Wave Therapy! According to PulseVet, we are the first and only veterinary practice in Wyoming to be providing this new and effective therapy.
Initially used to treat musculo-skeletal problems and kidney stones in humans, this same shock wave technology has been found to be highly effective in treating many lameness and musculo-skeletal problems in horses. Using hydraulic pressure, sound waves are generated by the machine that penetrate the horse’s tissue, where they result in the release of beneficial bio-chemicals and stimulate the growth of new blood supply to injured areas, as well as providing pain relief. The treatment is done by saturating the horse’s hair with ultrasound gel and then using a special probe to transmit the generated soundwaves into the horse’s tissue through the skin.
The Versatron system is unique in that it uses electro-hydraulic technology, the gold standard in human medicine. Previous equine shockwave machines used waves generated by an air-compressor. The electro-hydraulic technology allows for much better penetration to areas that used to be difficult to treat with shockwave therapy including the back, lumbo-sacral region, and navicular area. The electro-hydraulic technology makes such a difference that it is now the only type of Shock Wave Treatment covered by many equine medical insurance policies. This type of Shockwave machine has multiple transducer heads of different sizes, to allow the veterinarian to customize the treatment to the specific area being treated. It also allows the veterinarian to control the power of the sound waves generated, which allows us to get the shockwave therapy specifically to the area of injury.
Shock wave therapy is very safe for the horse. Unlike surgical or injectable treatment options, it does not require sterility, prolonged recovery time, or bandaging, and does not present any risk from needle puncture.For hock and stifle problems, as well as sesamoiditis, it can be an excellent option for the owner who wants to avoid joint injections, or the horse who does not tolerate needles well. Although the horse is generally lightly sedated to prevent movement during therapy, the treatment is easily done in the standing horse and takes only 10-20 minutes. Most horses improve quickly with responses being seen in 7-10 days.
Some conditions that can be treated with Shock wave therapy include:
- Suspensory injuries and suspensory desmititis
- Sesamoiditis
- Tendon Injuries and Tendinitis
- Bucked Shins
- Stress Fractures
- DJD (arthritis) of the Hock
- Stifle ligament injuries and gonitis
- Lumbo-sacral and Sacro-illiac pain and strains
- Back pain, including “Kissing spines”
- Low & High Ringbone
- Navicular Disease
- Non-healing wounds
For more information about Versatron Shockwave Therapy, visit www.pulsevet.com , where you can find information for owners, and find references to some of the many studies done with the Versatron machine. To find out about how we can use ShockWave therapy to help your horse, call us at 307-763-6073 or send an email to candicecardendvm@gmail.com.