Veterinary Medicine
Since the first clinical studies on animals in 1992 shockwave therapy has become an accepted and effective treatment method in veterinary medicine. It’s no longer a question of its potential – it’s about understanding shockwave’s wide range of applications.
1 Dr. C.J. Wang FS Shockwave Therapy induces neovascularization at the tendon bone junction. A study on Rabbits Journal of Orthopedic Research 2003 Nov; 21 (6): 984-9 .
Shockwave's Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms:
Shockwave Therapy’s efficacy isn’t just anecdotal; it’s deeply rooted in molecular and cellular mechanisms. 1
Angiogenic Modulation: Shockwave therapy has been found to modulate angiogenesis, impacting markers such as vWF (von Willebrand factor), VEGF, eNOS, and PCNA.
Anti-Inflammatory Pathways: Shockwave therapy exerts anti-inflammatory effects by modulating markers like sICAM and sVCAM.
Bone and Tissue Regeneration: Shockwave therapy impacts bone and tissue healing markers, including BMP, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, DKK-1, and IGF.
Immunomodulation: At a cellular level, shockwave therapy shifts the macrophage phenotype from M1 to M2 and increases T-cell proliferation, indicating its role in immune response modulation.
General Benefits
- Fast alleviation of pain or even complete pain relief
- Accelerated healing process
- No side effects
- No sedation or anesthesia required
- Outpatient treatment
- Reasonable and predictable costs
- No more than 3 to 5 treatments
Canines, given their diverse sizes and skeletal structures, respond well to shockwave therapy.
For Dogs
Osteopromotive Benefits: Randomized controlled trials have showcased improved bone healing in dogs undergoing shockwave treatment. Specifically, an improved peak vertical force (PVF) was observed 8 weeks post-surgery.
Arthritic and Tendinopathic Treatments: Canine applications of shockwaves have shown significant results in treating elbow, stifle, and hip osteoarthritis, as well as shoulder tendinopathies. Radial shockwave therapy, in particular, has shown therapeutic benefits in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.
Bone Healing Stimulation: Shockwave therapy promotes bone healing in dogs, as seen in research dogs with experimental non-unions. It causes periosteal detachment and micro-fractures on the endosteal surface of the canine femoral cortex, leading to callus formation beneath the detached periosteum in subsequent months.
For Horses:
Accelerated Wound Healing: Studies indicated a hastened healing of distal limb wounds in horses post shockwave therapy, showcasing reduced TGF-1 expression and elevated IGF-1 expression. This leads to reduced inflammation and less exuberant granulation tissue.
Tendon and Ligament Treatment: Histological examinations have shown that post-shockwave therapy, there’s an increase in new collagen fibrils and proteoglycan deposition. This has led to successfully stimulating suspensory desmitis healing and reduction in lameness.
Osteogenic Effects: The changes in circulating biomarkers after shockwave treatments suggest it induces bone remodelling, an essential factor in treating fractures and other bone-related disorders in equines.
Broad-Spectrum Applications: shockwave has applications in treating tendonitis, suspensory desmitis, cortical bone fractures, DJD of various joints, meniscus problems, and even navicular disease.
Equine medicine has embraced shockwave therapy for its multi-faceted therapeutic benefits.
Ready to Add a Shockwave Therapy Device to Your Practice
Research
See the evidence from studies conducted with shockwave technology.