LAUSR

Superficial digital flexor tendinitis (SDFT) and proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) are common causes of lameness in horses. Current treatment options include rest, controlled exercise, administration of anti-inflammatories, intralesional injections, surgery, and electrohydraulic shock wave therapy (ESWT). ESWT is safe, noninvasive, and is used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal abnormalities. Medical records between 2010 and 2021 were reviewed. Horses were separated into two categories: (group 1: ≥ 3 ESWT treatments; group 2: < 3 ESWT treatments). Our objective was to examine the effect of the number of ESWT treatments in the management of SDFT and PSD injuries and to compare short- and long-term outcomes for the two groups. For group 1, lameness scores between the first and third treatments were significantly reduced in both PSD (p<0.0001) and SDFT (p=0.016) horses. However, neither the PSD (p=0.062) nor SDFT's (p=0.125) ultrasound findings were significantly different at the end of the third treatment. Horses with PSD showed a significant improvement in forelimb lameness between the first and third treatments compared to hindlimb (p = 0.033). In the multivariable ordered logistic regression model, only time (months of follow-up) was significantly associated with a positive outcome (p=0.001) and there was no difference in short and long-term outcome between groups 1 and 2. Also, chronicity of injury was negatively associated with improvement of lameness (p=0.028).