Performance Horse Medicine and Lameness

Sports Medicine / Lameness

At Southwest Equine, we strive to keep your athlete in peak performance. In-depth evaluations are performed to identify the source acute and chronic musculoskeletal problems.

Diagnosis of lameness may be facilitated by the use of gait analysis software, peri-neural and intra-articular anesthesia, radiography and digital ultrasound. Referral for nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) or an MRI may be recommended. Our veterinarians believe in spending the time to identify the source of lameness in order to provide specifically targeted therapeutic plans.

Southwest Equine Veterinarians are particularly interested in identifying causes of poor performance. Most of our poor performance evaluations are in horses that have had extensive lameness evaluations and treatments but are still not working to their full potential. Our veterinarians are particularly adept at pinpointing less common causes of poor performance: dentition problems, problems in the spine (neck, back, pelvis), muscle disorders, neurologic disorders, gastric ulcers, etc.

Prior to investing in the purchase of a new horse, a complete pre-purchase examination is highly recommended. The format and extent of the exam can be tailored to the individual needs of the client and horse, but usually involves a thorough physical examination from head to tail. The horse is observed for soundness, neurologic deficits and suitability for intended use. Digital radiographs are encouraged to establish a baseline of skeletal changes. Reproductive exams, ultrasound exam, bloodwork, and upper airway endoscopy are available for more comprehensive examinations by request.

Mesotherapy is most often used to treat chronic back or neck pain. It involves injecting small amounts of pain relieving substances into the mesoderm of the skin. There are pain fibers in the mesoderm that we treat with mesotherapy, causing a deactivation of the pain cycle between the pain, muscles and spinal cord in the affected region. Mesotherapy is often used in conjunction with joint injections, back injections and shockwave therapy to provide pain control for chronically sore horses. It is important to implement a rehabilitation and stretching plan in horses that require mesotherapy.

Shockwave therapy has proven highly successful in promoting the healing of soft tissue structures (tendons and ligaments) and remodeling bones (splints). It is a commonly used treatment for sport horse injuries because it requires little preparation (no or light sedation), is non-invasive, and can be used for both chronic and acute injuries. The wave emitted from the device stimulates new cell growth and improves circulation, which promotes healing. The treatment also results in a temporary analgesic effect (pain relief).

Laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is a rapidly evolving therapeutic option for treating a vast array of injuries in horses. It has an endless list of potential uses, making it of great interest in both human and veterinary medicine. Currently, laser treatment can treat any type of inflammation, but as this technology evolves, so will the uses of it. The most commonly treated areas are Superficial Digital Flexor Tendons, Deep Digital Flexor Tendons, Suspensory Ligaments and Branches, Sesamoiditis, bone bruising, and wounds.

Regenerative Medicine, Orthobiologics and Gels

Regenerative medicine is the treatment of choice for many musculoskeletal problems. Southwest Equine offers an entire range of the latest therapies to provide comfortable healthy joints

Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP)

Concentrated platelets provide many factors to enhance tissue healing and repair. We use PRP often in injured joints, tendons, ligaments and wounds.

Autologous Protein Solution (ProStride)

Concentrated anti-inflammatory proteins and cytokines from your horses’ blood are injected back into the joint. This provides rapid reduction in joint inflammation and is an excellent option for high performing horses or horses with underlying metabolic/endocrine disorders.

Alpha 2 Macroglobulin

This involves concentrating a very potent anti-inflammatory protein from your horse’s blood and injecting it into a joint. We use this in cases of synovitis (inflammation in the joint without significant damage to cartilage or underlying bone).

Stem Cells

We offer both autologous stem cell collection (bone marrow and adipose tissue) or dental derived stem cells for treatment of acute injuries. Autologous stem cells typically require a 3-4 week turn around between collection and use.

RenoVo

Concentrated acellular amnionic allograft has been a game changing addition to our ability to treat soft tissue injuries (including torn menisci and ligaments in the stifle), severe wounds, eye injuries and skin tumors. It is also very effective in preventive maintenance injections for high performing athletes to keep their joints healthy and strong.

Arthramid

2.5% polyacrylamide gel is a long-lasting biocompatible material that is injected into joints to improve the health of the synovium (joint lining) and joint fluid. Polyacrylamide Gels are non-irritating to the joint with extremely long lasting beneficial effects on joint health and joint comfort.

Noltrex

4% polyacrylamide gel is an excellent product to improve the lubrication within the joint. We call this one the “motor oil for joints”. It is an excellent long-lasting, non-irritating product that works well in joints with underlying cartilage damage as well as in joints that have synovial inflammation without significant cartilage damage.

Spryng

A combination of collagen, elastin and carbohydrate (essential components of cartilage) that forms an “osteocushion” and provides improved shock absorption, particularly in joints with cartilage and subchondral bone damage. While hyalin cartilage (joint cartilage) will never heal once it has been damaged, Spryng provides components that mimic the water absorbing and cushioning effects of hyalin cartilage within the joint.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southwest Equine handle lameness evaluations?

Our lameness evaluations are tailored to each individual horse and client. Sometimes it is something as simple as watching how a horse moves and taking 1-2 radiographs of an affected limb. Sometimes our lameness exams involve hours of watching your horse move in hand, on the lunge, under saddle, multiple nerve blocks, radiographs, and ultrasounds of multiple limbs… it all depends upon your horse and your expectations.

What is the focus of Poor Performance Examinations?

The Poor Performance exam is for the horse that doesn’t feel lame, but also “doesn’t feel right” or “doesn’t want to move forward”. These evaluations are conducted for horses that have undergone extensive lameness evaluations and treatments but are still not working to their full potential. These exams are usually extended and comprehensive- our internal medicine specialist excels at pinpointing less common causes of poor performance including dentition, spine issues, muscle disorders, neurologic disorders, intestinal disorders, and cardiac or respiratory issues. Our poor performance exams may take several days or several visits to find the problem. If we are unable to fully pinpoint the problem, we may refer for additional diagnostic imaging (nuclear scintigraphy, CT + myelogram).

Why is a Pre-Purchase Examination (PPE) recommended and what does it entail?

A Pre-Purchase Examination is highly recommended before investing in a new horse. The examination involves a thorough physical examination from head to tail, observation for soundness and neurologic deficits, and suitability assessment for the intended use. Digital radiographs are encouraged to establish a baseline of skeletal changes. Additional exams such as reproductive exams, ultrasound exams, bloodwork, and upper airway endoscopy are available for more comprehensive evaluations.

What is the purpose of Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is highly successful in promoting the healing of soft tissue structures (tendons and ligaments) and remodeling bones (splints). It is a non-invasive treatment commonly used for both chronic and acute sport horse injuries, providing a temporary analgesic effect (pain relief) while stimulating new cell growth and improving circulation.

How does Laser Therapy work in treating injuries?

Laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is a therapeutic option for treating various injuries in horses. It is particularly effective for inflammation in areas such as Superficial Digital Flexor Tendons, Deep Digital Flexor Tendons, Suspensory Ligaments, Sesamoiditis, bone bruising, and wounds. As technology evolves, laser treatment continues to offer new potential uses.

What is Mesotherapy and when is it used?

Mesotherapy is used to treat chronic back or neck pain by injecting pain-relieving substances into the mesoderm of the skin. It deactivates the pain cycle between pain, muscles, and the spinal cord in the affected region. Mesotherapy is often combined with joint injections, back injections, and shockwave therapy to provide pain control for chronically sore horses.