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  Discussion on Shock Wave treatment for Navicular SynDrOme
Author Message
Member:
Arvane

Posted on Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 - 2:44 pm:

Hello,
I am looking for some information on extracorporeal shockwave treatment used to treat heel-pain/navicular. My horse was diagnosed at Texas A&M with "navicular synDrOme." I have tried everything before and after that diagnosis (injections etc) but he can only stay sound for a few months. They don't know if it is a soft tissue injury or "classic" navicular disease since, at the time, A&M did not have MRI equipment. At the time, the vet told me he was not impressed with shock-wave treatment for hoof problems (due to thickness of the sole/wall), but since then some studies seem to have been done, which have shown good results. Does anyone have experience with this? Dr. O, do you have any thoughts? ( I did not find anything in the article).

Thanks
Member:
Onehorse

Posted on Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 - 3:22 pm:

James:

A very good friend of mine has had her horse go through shock wave treatment on her horses front hoofs. The procedure was done at EVA Hospital (southeast Wisconsin) and the treatment was administered by Dr. Henry and three session were scheduled -- I think 6 to 8 weeks apart.

My friend opted for this treatment because her horse (dressage horse) continually went in and out of lameness and other procedures did not seem to work (corrective shoeing, chiropractic therapy, injections, etc.) X-rays showed a slight swelling around the navicular bone (or muscle ... I'm not sure which).

For the treatment the horse had to stay in the hospital for 3 days. They first soaked the hoof in some sort of gel over night to completely soften the hoof so the the shock waves could penetrate the foot. Afterwards the horse remained in is stall while the hoof hardened before he was released. I think the horse is 9 years old.

The goal of the treatment, as I understand it, is to stimulate circulation in the hoof and the theory being this will alleviate the pain.

In my friend's case, the results were almost immediate. After the first session, her horse was back to 'being his old self' and no lameness recurred. They actually debated whether the horse required the second treatment ... but it was done, the third was not.

It's been about 7 months since the treatment was completed. If you want, I'll ask my friend if you can talk to her directly. Though i went with her to take the horse to the hospital, I don't have the details of the event, the costs, or any of the technical information. Let me know, if you'd like to talk to her and how to accomplish it.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 - 3:38 pm:

Wow, Rick. That is really neat. I especially find the part about soaking the hoof to soften it for the shock waves very interesting. What was the specific diagnosis on your friend's horse's lameness, i.e., for what kinds of lameness is this shock wave treatment effective? Was the third treatment cancelled because the horse was pain free or was it because of some other reason?
Member:
Onehorse

Posted on Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 - 6:07 pm:

Hi Holly (and just so everyone knows, Holly turned me on to this terrific site 2 years ago!),

Okay, here's the low down on this therapy as told to me by my friend who I just got off the phone:

Very expensive. The cost per treatment (including overnight board) was around $500 per treatment. In my earlier post I said the horse was at the hospital for 3 days ... that was incorrect, it was overnight. Shoes had to be removed for the treatment.

Lori's horse had a bout with founder and never fully recovered. As I said, all kinds of treatments were employed but the horse never fully recovered and experienced on and off pain and lameness. The shock wave treatments were offered as a last resort.

The improvement was almost immediate according to her. The debate over the second treatment was whether it was necessary or not. She, her vet and the hospital staff were fairly new to this procedure at the time and the decision was made to err on the side of caution and continue the treatment. The third treatment was cancelled because no one thought it was necessary. The horse continues to be pain and lame free.

She said her horse was basically oblivious to the procedure ... no pain during the zapping, no after effects, and once he got used to the noise of the machine he just stood there.

Shoes were put back on the horse before it left the hospital and the only concern after the procedure was to give the hoof a couple of days to harden back to normal since it was softened with the gel for the shock wave therapy.

She was very happy she did it. She thinks her horse is too.

James, if you would like to talk to her about her experience she said she would be happy to discuss it with you.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 12:37 am:

Thanks, Rick. (nice to "see" you)

Did Lori's horse have rotated coffin bones? I just purchased a horse to save him from auction. He has a clubby front foot, and has been experiencing lameness in the club foot. His sole has no concavity, and the heel is high . . . can't lower it. Pasterns are almost straight up and down. He is one of five horses that will be evaluated at a lameness clinic here in a couple of weeks. If the bones in his foot are misaligned, I wonder if this treatment might be an option . . . Hmmmm . . . I may start a new discussion with accompanying photos. Thanks, again. Hope you and your one horse are happy :-)
Member:
Arvane

Posted on Saturday, Jul 2, 2005 - 3:23 pm:

Hello,
Rick, thank you so much for this information! I have been traveling all week and just got back. I am impressed with the recovery of your friend's horse! I would love to speak with her if that's ok. How do we do that practically - do we get in touch on private email?
Thanks again!
Member:
Onehorse

Posted on Saturday, Jul 2, 2005 - 4:26 pm:

James:

I checked your profile and there's an email address for you. I will send you an email with info to contact my friend.

Rick
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