title: Force platform evaluation of lameness severity following extracorporeal shock wave therapy in horses with unilateral forelimb lameness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure alterations in lameness severity that occur following use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in horses with naturally occurring unilateral forelimb lameness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nonrandomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  9 horses with unilateral forelimb lameness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Force platform gait analysis was performed prior to administration of any treatments (baseline) and after use of local anesthesia to eliminate the lameness. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was then administered, and gait analysis was repeated 8 hours later and then daily for 7 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the baseline value, peak vertical force was significantly increased 8 hours and 2 days after ESWT, and peak vertical force on day 2 was not significantly different from force measured after use of local anesthesia to eliminate the lameness. Similarly, vertical impulse was significantly increased, compared with the baseline value, 8 hours and 2 days after ESWT, but at all times, it was significantly lower than vertical impulse measured after use of local anesthesia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that in horses with naturally occurring lameness, use of ESWT results in a period of acute improvement in lameness severity that typically persists for 2 days. Thus, in horses undergoing ESWT, exercise should be controlled for a minimum of 2 days after treatment to prevent further injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dahlberg
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Reinertson
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005552:Forelimb; D005684:Gait; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome