Sports Medicine

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

At Ascot Equine Veterinarian, we offer extracorporeal shock wave therapy as an adjunctive treatment for certain musculoskeletal injuries. The procedure is quick safe and minimally invasive. The equipment is also mobile and the procedure can be performed in the field setting.

WHAT IS EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY (ESWT)?

Shockwave therapy IS NOT electrical. It is a non-invasive treatment for musculoskeletal, soft tissue and bone injuries, that uses a series of high-pressure sound waves, which pulse to a specific site within the injured tissues.

HOW DOES SHOCKWAVE THERAPY WORK?

The pressure waves generated increase as they travel through tissues. These pressure changes lead to cavitation, and the formation and collapse of tiny gas bubbles within the tissues, which leads to ‘micro-trauma’ of the tissues. This ‘micro-trauma’ is of benefit to the injured tissue and helps to stimulate the cells responsible for healing and accelerate the body’s natural healing process. It also increases blood flow in the surrounding soft tissues, allowing for the introduction of nutrients for cell repair, all of which lead to gradual tissue regeneration and healing.

Shockwave Therapy is also clinically proven to reduce pain felt by nerve fibres. It’s analgesic (pain-relief) effects peak approximately 48 hours after treatment. Because of its analgesic effect, it has a withdrawal time for racing and competition under FEI rules.

WHAT DISORDERS CAN BE TREATED?

Shockwave Therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, such as:

• suspensory ligament desmitis
• flexor tendinitis (eg bowed tendons)
• navicular disease
• sesamoid fractures
• osteoarthritis
• kissing spines
• sacroiliac disease
• back pain
• cervical facet joint arthropathy (causing neck pain)

HOW OFTEN WOULD MY HORSE NEED TREATMENT?

Treatment varies in the number of shockwaves administered and the energy of the shockwaves used.

For acute soft tissue injuries, at least three treatments at two to three-week intervals are recommended.

Alpha2EQ^®

Alpha2EQ®: an advanced orthobiologic targeting equine lameness, osteoarthritis, soft tissue injury, joint and airway inflammation

We are excited to be offering alpha2EQ® as an additional therapy for equine joint inflammation at Ascot Equine Veterinarians.

Orthobiologics: What are they and why are they important?

Orthobiologics are derived from natural substances found in the body. They can be used to promote the body’s own healing process. When trauma occurs to joints and soft tissue, it triggers the inflammatory cascade. This includes the release of protease enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Left unchecked, proteases and cytokines may cause more tissue damage.

Alpha-2-macroglobulin: A potent anti-inflammatory molecule

Alpha-2-macroglobulin (a2M) is a naturally occurring protein within the blood. The function of this protein is to bind to substances that can be harmful to the healing process within joints and tissue and eliminate them. The molecule has the ability to block the destructive effect of these harmful enzymes by capturing them in a ‘trap’ when the enzymes cleave the molecule’s amino acid “bait” region. A2M has a unique multimodal mechanism of action: non-specific protease inhibition, gene regulation, as well as cytokine and growth factor modulation.

What is Alpha2EQ^®?

Alpha2EQ® is the next generation of orthobiologics! Using a sample of your horse’s own blood, we use the advanced patented AlphaActive filtration technology to separate the plasma, then filter and isolate the protein alpha-2-macroblobulin (a2M). This highly improved process filters plasma proteins from the equine patent’s own blood, removing harmful proteins that can remain in other autologous plasma products leaving an isolated alpha-2-macroglobulin product.

This protein is the key factor.

When injected or applied to areas of inflammation, alpha-2-macroglobulin removes the damage-causing enzymes to help improve the healing process and protect against further damage.

Alpha2EQ^® has many advantages:

• All natural orthobiologic – no corticosteroids or other medications involved
• Particularly beneficial in horses with insulin dysregulation that are at risk of laminitis, where corticosteroid use may be contraindicated.
• Potent anti-inflammatory effects that are long lasting (6-12 months)
• Benefits can be appreciated within a few days
• Great option for sport horses as the system produces enough a2M to treat multiple joints safely at one time
• Each kit should produce enough to treat 3-4 sets of joints.
• Any excess product can be frozen for up to 12 months, to be used later when needed.
• Collecting and processing of the blood and treatment can be done on the same day

In summary, Alpha2EQ offers a powerful and natural solution for equine joint health, promoting healing and minimising inflammation.

For more information follow the link Alpha2EQ by Astaria – how it helps equine joint inflammation (astariaglobal.com)

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological product derived from a patient’s own blood. It contains a high concentration of platelets, which are essential for wound healing and tissue repair.

PRP is produced by centrifuging a blood sample to separate its components. The resulting PRP contains growth factors, cytokines, and other bioactive molecules that promote tissue regeneration.

What is involved in preparing PRP?

1. Blood Collection:
   • Firstly, we collect a blood sample from your horse, using a commercial PRP collection device.
2. Centrifugation:
   • The blood sample is spun in a centrifuge to separate its components based on density.
   • Platelets are concentrated in the plasma, resulting in PRP.
3. Injection:
   • PRP is then injected directly into the injured area to stimulate healing.

Use of PRP in Equine Sports Medicine:

PRP can effectively reduce inflammation in horses suffering from tendonitis, ligament injuries, and other musculoskeletal issues.

1. Tendon Injuries:
   • PRP has been successfully used to treat tendon injuries in horses, particularly of the superficial digital flexor tendon, commonly known as a bowed tendon (tendonitis).
   • Tendons are notoriously slow to heal. By promoting tissue regeneration, PRP accelerates healing and helps horses recover more quickly from these common injuries.
2. Suspensory Ligament Injuries:
   • PRP is also effective for suspensory ligament injuries (suspensory ligament desmitis).
   • It enhances healing at the cellular level, improving the quality of repair and potentially reducing reinjury susceptibility.
3. Osteoarthritis:
   • PRP can also be injected into joints to help reduce inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Platelet Rich Plasma has many advantages:

• All natural treatment – no corticosteroids involved
• Treatment can be tailored to the individual.
• Any excess product can be frozen for up to 12 months, to be used later when needed.
• Collecting and processing of the blood and treatment can be done on the same day

In summary, PRP offers a promising approach to treating tendon and ligament injuries in horses. Its regenerative properties can significantly improve healing outcomes, making it a valuable tool in equine sports medicine. Remember to consult with a veterinarian for specific treatment recommendations tailored to each horse’s condition.

ArthramidVet^®

ArthramidVet®: For the treatment of lameness in horses due to non-infectious inflammation of joints, including both early and late stages of osteoarthritis (OA).

ArthramidVet®: A unique and patented 2.5% iPAAG (intra-articular polyacrylamide) hydrogel.

ArthramidVet® offers an innovative, safe treatment option to manage joint pain and osteoarthritis. It treats inflamed joints through its precise therapeutic action on the synovial membrane of the joint which restores joint function and homeostasis.

Upon injection into the joint, ArthramidVet® immediately adheres to the synovial lining and creates a long-term ‘bio-scaffold’ within the synovium. This bio-scaffold supports healthy regeneration of the synovium through the body’s normal healing processes. Cells induced into the synovial membrane by the ArthramidVet® then may further lead to the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Over the next 2-4 weeks, ArthramidVet® becomes fully integrated into the synovial membrane, working with the body’s natural immune response through ingrowth of new cells, blood vessels and collagen fibres. ArthramidVet® also has viscoelastic properties and will provide lubrication and load sharing in the initial stages of treatment.

Advantages of ArthramidVet^® include:

• Proven efficacy, in multiple clinical trials, across all equine disciplines.
• Non-Pharmaceutical
• No competition with-hold time – except that for intra-articular injections
• Clinically proven long-lasting effect

It is important to understand that there is a time lag between treatment and treatment effect – this contrasts with most conventional therapies. Clinical effect may take 2-4 weeks – treat in the preparation phase of the training programme, or during periods of reduced exercise demands.

No further response expected after 6 weeks. Top-up dose if needed

Can be repeated at 6 to 12 months intervals if clinically indicated and advised.

For more information, follow the link Home | Arthramid Vet Australia