The use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in horses with navicular disease

In this study the effectiveness of the treatment of novicular disease by the means of extrocorporal shockwave application (ESWT) has been tested. The tested patients composed of a total of 42 horses of different race, age and gender which showed lameness of a duration of at least three months on either one or both front extremities. In addition all patients needed to have a history of one or more attempts of conventional treatment and the occurrence of a relapse. The tested horses were devided into two groups; group one was undergoing application of shockwaves through the sole of the hoof whereas in group two the shockwaves were applied over the bulb region. All horses were treated standing without undergoing general anestesia, only receiving sedation when necessary. The application of shockwaves to the navicular bone was done without ultrasonographical or radiological aid. After an observation period of six weeks 47,4% of the treated legs of patients out of group one have been found to be free of lameness, whereas in 80,0% of treated legs of patients out of group two were sound and showed no signs of lamness any more. Statistical evaluation of the captured data showed that in both groups a significant improvement of the disease pattern could be noticed (p less than or equal to 0,05). In comparison of both groups the second one achieved even better results. None of the treated horses showed severe problems during or after shockwave application. Therefore shockwave therapy is found to be an probable alternative in treating novicular disease, even though there has to be further investigation on how shockwave therapy works.