Title: Evaluation of the effect of extracorporeal shock wave treatment on experimentally induced osteoarthritis in middle carpal joints of horses

Author: David D Frisbie, Christopher E Kawcak, C Wayne McIlwraith

A recent study investigated the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis (OA). The study found that horses treated with ESWT showed significant improvement in lameness compared to those treated with a placebo or polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG). The treatment was administered twice, 14 days apart, using a focused shock wave unit.

While the study did not detect any disease-modifying effects of ESWT, the improvement in lameness suggests that this therapy could be considered in combination with other modalities that do affect the disease process. No adverse treatment-related events were detected in any of the horses.

The study highlights the potential benefits of ESWT in the treatment of OA in horses, providing hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for affected animals. As a non-invasive and safe treatment option, ESWT could be a useful tool in the management of OA in horses.

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