Suspensory lesion

[custard]

Willsy has been scanned and as above really, been on box rest for 3 weeks nearly and vet wants to start shock wave therapy tomo. What exactly does this involve and how often, do they have to do it, is it any bloomin good?
Think the insurance will pay so happy to throw everything at it but just interested really

 

[Alibear]

Shockwave therapy has got a fairly good track record on suspensory problems , it's a machine and it makes quite a noise and it send the waves through the tissues of the leg. Due to noise horses are often sedated for this procedure.
I've only head of it used on horses with inflamed suspensories though so not sure how effective it is on lesions.

 

[jomiln]

I do know that hydrotherapy has been used along side shock wave treatment for suspensory injuries? Have you considered that at all?

 

[custard]

Yes the vet was meant to do his first SWT yestarerday, poor bugger was all sedated and then the new machine broke so got to start Friday!

I think the insurance is covering this so keen to throw everything at it like SWT. There is also a swimming pool not far away Im prepared to take him too if need be, he's a good little swimmer actually just struggles to eat a pizza afterwards!

Seriously tho what would hydrotherapy involve I think we have a spa nearby too

 

[star]

my horse had had shockwave twice - first lots of 3 sessions 2wks apart for proximal suspensory desmitis 5yrs ago which worked fab. 2nd lot of 3 sessions 2wks apart last year for annular ligament desmitis - no success. it's a loud machine and can initiate a painful sensation so they're normally sedated for it. it's normally used for problems where ligaments attach onto bones like in prox susp desmitis - no experience of using it for lesions in the body of the suspensory, but if you mean a proximal lesion then it can have very good results. my horse was sound after the 3rd treatment and back in full work in 6months.