Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Desmitis of the Accessory Ligament of the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon in the Horse

Objective To evaluate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on collagenase-induced lesions in the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) of horses. Study Design Paired, blinded controlled study. Animals Eight Thoroughbred horses (3 mares, 5 geldings; mean +/- SD weight, 464 +/- 26 kg, mean age, 8 +/- 1.7 years). Methods Lesions were created in both ALDDFTs of all horses by injection of 2 x 103 IU of collagenase type I. Percent lesion and structure (fiber alignment and echogenicity) were quantified with ultrasonographic imaging 3, 6, and 9 weeks after collagenase injection. After ultrasound examinations, ESWT (1000 shocks at 0.15 mJ/mm2) was applied to 1 ALDDFT in each horse. ALDDFT were harvested 15 weeks after collagenase injection and the microstructure, mRNA levels of collagen types I and III, and collagen and glycosaminoglycan content were evaluated. Results There were no differences in percent lesion, echogenicity, or fiber alignment between control- and ESWT-treated ligaments at each evaluation time; however, compared with 3-week values, there was a significant increase in percent lesion and echogenicity for EWST treated ligaments at 6 weeks and significant decrease in both variables for treated and control ligaments at 12 weeks. Fiber alignment improved significantly at 9 weeks in controls and at 12 weeks in treated and control ligaments. Collagen type I mRNA levels were significantly higher in the ESWT treatment group compared with the control group 15 weeks after collagenase injection though differences in other mRNA levels, microstructure, and composition were not significant. Conclusions Our results do not support an effect of ESWT on collagenase-induced lesions in the equine ALDDFT.