110 SIDELINES JANUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Mutt of the Month
Could Whiskey be your next best friend? Whiskey is a male,
10-month-old hound/retriever mix. Whiskey loves to play ball,
especially with tennis balls. He has learned to “sit,” is learning
“down” and walks well on a leash. He loves to be with people
and is a very easy-going dog. Whiskey’s adoption fee is $75
and that includes his neutering, up-to-date vaccinations and
a microchip implant. Whiskey is located at the Aiken SPCA
Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare in Aiken, South Carolina.
Call (803) 648-6863 or visit
.
Leci’s Bouquet
Congratulatory Bouquet
Gourmet Gift Baskets.
Gift Ballons and
Flower Arrangements
352-861-5324
Toll Free: 866-783-5324
923 North Magnolia Ave., Ocala. Florida 34475
e
Regenerative Laser Therapy
By John G. Peloso, DVM, MS, Diplomate, ACVS,
Equine Medical Center of Ocala
Regenerative laser therapy (RLT)
is a new class IV laser
that offers an
advanced, non-invasive and non-painful treatment for tendon, ligament
and bone injuries sustained by the horse in competition.
Surgical lasers have been used in the operating room for years.
Therapeutic (class – III) lasers have been used to treated superficial
wounds. Class IV lasers received FDA approval in 2005.
Why is the RLT Special? It is a
class IV
laser that is powered by a
220-volt
source. The laser light is generated from the
ND:YAG
crystal at
a wavelength of
1060 nm
. Unfocused light and heat energy is deposited
at distances of up to
5- cm
from the surface of the skin. It emits a
pulsed
release (vs., continuous release) of energy that is essential to produce the
mechanical and thermal effect
s.
Photomechanical Effect: the energy of the laser pulse is converted into
a mechanical force. Recognizing that tendons and ligaments respond
to mechanical stimulation (i.e., shock wave therapy), the mechanical
forces cause cells to change shape and size which increases cellular
metabolism, activates enzymes, and increases the production of nucleic
acids and proteins.
Photo-thermal Effect: the energy of the laser pulse is converted into
a thermal wave which can heat the tissue to 41°C. The timing of the
laser pulse allows superficial heat to dissipate before the next pulse is
delivered. Impaired blood flow creates disease in all aspects of medicine.
Using safely heated tissues, blood flow and oxygen delivery to damages
tissues is increased which increases cellular metabolism allowing
tissues to heal in 1/3rd to 1/2 normal healing times. It also produces an
analgesic effect on nerve endings that is capable of a rapid reduction of
painful symptoms.
The Practical: Horses receive
three laser treatments per week
followed by 10 minutes hand
walking. Laser treatments are
cumulative so, for maximal
benefits, 25 treatments are
required for acute injuries and 35
treatments for chronic conditions.
Treatment charts are tissue-
specific and based on 10 years of
research from the medical laser
innovator El.En™.
Appropriate
Applications:
Any inflammatory condition,
pain, or acute trauma and any
chronic condition that cause pain,
stiffness, or tissue scarring that
limits mobility. Previous career
ending injuries are now being
reversed. 1. SDF and DDF tendon
injuries: tendon injuries within
hoof capsule. 2. Suspensory
ligament: origin, body and branch
injuries; straight or oblique distal
sesamoidean ligament injury 3.
Navicular bone: distal boarder
fragments, impar ligament. 4.
Fibrotic myopathy 5. Inferior
check ligament desmitis and
superior check ligament strain. 6.
Arthritis: ring bone, bone spavin,
stifle meniscus or cruciate injury.
For more information visit,
Case Example With Photos: A four-year-old filly became mildly lame
and painful to palpation with filling in the RF SDF tendon following
galloping exercise.
Ultrasound image (before laser therapy)is a SDF
tendon core lesion 14 days after the bow occurred. Ultrasound image
(after laser therapy) is the same core lesion 30 days later after 12 of 25
treatments have been administered.
Before laser therapy
After laser therapy
