Effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on radiographic and scintigraphic outcomes in horses with palmar heel pain.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (RESWT) on radiographic and scintigraphic variables in horses with clinical pain referable to the palmar heel.


METHODS
Eight client-owner horses with palmar heel pain were treated with RESWT for a total of three treatments. Nuclear scintigraphy and radiography were repeated at the beginning and completion of the study. Scintigram region of interest (ROI) density ratios were calculated and compared between treated limbs, untreated limbs, and a population of comparison limbs from eight horses free of lameness. Radiographs were scored for whole navicular bone appearance as well as distal border synovial fossae number and severity.


RESULTS
There was not any pre- versus post-treatment difference in scintigraphic navicular pool phase or delayed phase ROI density ratios in treated limbs, or between treated and untreated limbs. Delayed phase ROI density was increased in the central navicular region in treated limbs compared to comparison limbs from non-lame horses at both time points. Radiographic scores remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
RESWT as applied in the present study has no effect on acute palmar heel region scintigraphic or radiographic parameters. Any acute clinical benefit may be due to analgesic effects rather than stimulation of local tissue metabolism.
Byron
C
C
Equine Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois 1008 W. Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA. byron@illinois.edu
Stewart
A
A
Benson
B
B
Tennent-Brown
B
B
Foreman
J
J
D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005552:Forelimb; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013639:Tarsal Bones; D016896:Treatment Outcome