Dr. Koenig of the University of Guelph Equine Program began studying shock wave treatment when a particular horse with a broken leg came in for treatment. Koenig was interested in all the work that had been done in humans using shock wave therapy and preceded with her studies using a wound healing model.
Research to improve healing in horses
Shock waves work in wound and tendon healing by inducing a stronger inflammation in the tissue for a shorter healing time.
Koenig has found shock wave treatment beneficial in reducing proud flesh in large wounds, if used immediately after injury occurs. “Although the treatment is expensive,” says Koenig, “savings can be realized in reducing stall rest time and eliminating the cost of treating proud flesh after wound healing.”
Horses are known to have a long and weak inflammation phase post-injury especially in their limbs. Shock waves work in wound and tendon healing by inducing a stronger inflammation in the tissue for a shorter healing time.
Although it is not fully understood how shock wave treatment works, the theory is shockwaves are acoustic waves that are created by a shockwave generator and travel through fluid in the shockwave head. These acoustic waves create shear forces when they meet tissue of a different density (i.e. tendons) which release gas bubbles on the cell surface and release inflammatory mediators and growth factors. Koenig’s challenge has been attempting to measure the up and down regulation of growth factors to support the research.
Funding for this research has been provided by a grateful thoroughbred owner who donated the equipment and Equine Guelph.
About Dr. Koenig and her love for horses
Dr. Koenig has always been genuinely passionate about horses. As a child and teenager in Austria she enjoyed trail riding, jumping and dressage and would groom and muck out stalls to pay for riding lessons. She had the wonderful opportunity to show horses trained at the Prix St. George and Grand Prix levels and earned the qualifications to participate in dressage tournaments in Germany and Austria. Her determination and passion to become a doctor with humans or animals was made during her early childhood years. Following a sad experience at the age of twelve, where a horse she had cared for and greatly loved died from a ruptured stomach, Dr. Koenig knew she wished to be an equine veterinary surgeon.
Information for this news item is taken from the Equine Guelph Newsletter and Dr. Koenig's website.
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