The Role of Technology in Equine TreatmentsTechnology is currently and will in the future play an important role in diagnostic and therapeutic treatments of the equine athlete. Although many of the veterinary technologies parallel and overlap human medicine technologies their derivations may start in one field then crossover into other fields. Although the majority of diagnostics and treatments depend on doctors analytically minds and training, the technologies are an important tool to help pinpoint a definitive diagnosis. Available technologies vary from a million dollar MRI unit, to diagnose a difficult to solve problem, to a new acupuncture procedure to treat a sore back. New medical technologies are being introduced very rapidly making veterinary practice very exciting and rewarding. At Equine Sports Medicine we offer a variety of services using some of today’s most cutting-edge technologies. To learn more, select a treatment or technology below.
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Digital Radiography (DR)
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave Therapy is a treatment that is used to treat orthopedic problems such as bone fractures and navicular disease. Additionally, shock wave therapy can be used to treat ligament problems in horses. Athletic horses can suffer inflammation of the suspensory ligament in the front legs, and shock wave therapy has been effective in reducing pain and promoting healing of this ligament. In addition to providing healing and anti-inflammatory properties, shock wave therapy works two ways to reduce pain. Its anti-inflammatory action reduces the amount of inflammatory biochemicals that cause pain. In addition, this therapy seems to temporarily disrupt nerve impulse transmission thus reducing the horse's perception of pain. Digital Ultrasound
Digital Ultrasonography enables us to evaluate soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, to identify injuries and evaluate the progress of healing. Our digital system provides a two-dimensional rendering of the tendon that can be manipulated to allow even more accurate imaging of the tendons.
We also image structures within joints to assess damage to collateral ligaments, cartilage, and joint capsules. Sometimes obviating the need for further diagnostics such as MRI.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy equipment is used to examine and diagnose upper gastrointestinal conditions.  Acupuncture
The use of "complementary" medicine continues to increase in veterinary practice. While there are a myriad of therapies that fall within this broad term, the two most utilized are veterinary Acupuncture and chiropractic (sometimes referred to as manual therapy or spinal manipulative therapy). The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) refers to these types of therapies as "therapeutic options." These modalities complement our conventional or routine veterinary care. They are an adjunct to, not a replacement for, conventional veterinary medicine. Gastroscopy
The Gastroscope is a longer version of the endoscope that provides images of the esophagus and stomach. This is used to diagnose gastric ulcers as well and other gastric diseases such as tumors, and esophageal disorders. Gastric ulcers can be one of the most common causes of poor performance in athletic horses. ESM has the equipment and expertise to diagnosis these ulcers and counsel owners and trainers on their therapeutic options.
IRAP/ACP Therapy
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein Therapy is a technology we are using at ESM. It can be used to produce regenerative and anti-inflammatory proteins in joints without the addition of drugs.
 The IRAP protein, naturally present in the body, is collected from the patient, concentrated, and then re-injected into the diseased or problem joint. IRAP therapy has been shown to be effective in treating arthritic joints that have not responded to more traditional intra-articular therapy. IRAP has the potential to stop the cartilage matrix from being degraded and increase healing. IRAP has the ability to stop the inflammation cycle and bring comfort to your horse. P-3 Therapy
P3 therapy has shown to be of benefit for chronic suspensory desmitis. The horses that had severe acute problems and became chronic as well as the chronic sore suspensory’s that are ultrasound negative. The area that is most interesting is the use of P3 therapy on acute laminitis. The numbers treated are a small group but it appears to help stop the disease process from going into the chronic phase. There will probably be other areas the P3 therapy will be useful but we are unsure exactly what is happening to the body while undergoing treatment. Until scientific studies and comparison examines provide results P3 therapy is just another unproven alternative therapy. Game Ready
Game Ready™ Equine is used for preventing injury in horses and speeding recovery from a multitude of ailments. The Game Ready System can be used for post-workout therapy, chronic lameness, acute lameness, cellulitis, tendonitis, pre- and post-operative care, bowed tendons, stocked-up legs, wind puffs, and more. Game Ready Equine utilizes the same physical therapy and athletic training principles relied on by human athletes, calling for the use of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). |
Deep structures such as the pelvic sacro-iliac joints and cervical facets (neck joints) can also be examined for signs of arthritis with the ultrasound, and the image is used to guide therapeutic injections of these areas.
The videoendoscope is equipped with a monitor that allows both the doctor and client to see anatomical structures in the patient during the exam. Being able to visually see these anatomical images gives the doctor and client a greater sense of the animal's condition and allows for better decision-making in the care of the patient. 
Designed to restore missing electrical charges to damaged cells, this therapy allows cells to re-attain their natural electrical charge. It is commonly used for tendon and ligament problems, swelling, joint stiffness, muscle strains, arthritis and other conditions.Back soreness is the most common process we treat with 
Our success with backs is usually a series of daily treatments of approximately 15 minutes per day for 3 to 5 days. In some cases it provides temporary relief and others long-term benefits. Over the back, hips and hamstrings the deep muscle massage action along with electromagnetic stimulation of the large muscle groups provide relief of the muscle soreness.
