Shockwave therapy is a noninvasive treatment used as a means to improve the healing of musculoskeletal injuries, specifically tendon, bone, ligament and joint injuries. It has even been used to treat slow-healing wounds. There is disagreement in the veterinary profession about the effectiveness of the treatment.

Shockwaves are high-energy sound waves. The precise way that shockwave improves healing is not fully understood. It is suggested that micro-trauma of repeated shock waves at the affected area create new blood flow into the area. It is this new blood flow that is thought to promote tissue healing. Shockwave may also induce the production of cells that create bone and cartilage, and may stimulate the immune response. These effects are not proven at this time.

Shockwave is also thought to create a more organized, parallel fiber pattern in healing tissues such as suspensory ligaments or flexor tendons, but this effect has been questioned by some.

Shockwave is performed in a sedated, standing horse. The area associated with the injury is cleaned and clipped if the hair is long. The correct probe is selected depending on its depth of penetration for a specific treatment.

A dose (# of shocks) and strength is selected. A coupling gel is applied to the skin and the probe. The probe is placed over the injured area and directed as needed to treat the relevant structures. The procedure usually only takes about 15 minutes. The machine makes a loud clicking or popping sound when in use. Generally, horses are rested for 72 hours after treatment due to apparent numbing of the treated anatomy. Follow-up treatment or assessment is scheduled.

I personally find it hard to assess healing of an injury using this treatment because it is so hard to know how it would have healed without the treatment. However, in recent studies, shockwave has been found to help horses with navicular syndrome, chronic suspensory ligament disease, arthritis and even non-healing wounds.