The Effect of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (rESWT) on the Skin Surface Temperature of the Longissimus Dorsi Muscle in Clinically Healthy Racing Thoroughbreds: A Preliminary Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) is increasingly being used to treat musculoskeletal injuries in horses. The objective of this preliminary study was to assess the influence of rESWT on the skin surface temperature of the longissimus dorsi muscle of clinically healthy thoroughbreds. The horses were divided into a study group and an rESWT-sham group. A single round of rESWT was performed on the longissimus dorsi muscle. The rESWT-sham group underwent therapy without activation of the probe. In both groups, thermographic examination was performed before and just after rESWT to assess changes in skin surface temperature. In addition, thermographic examination was performed 10 min after rESWT. Palpation examination was performed after the first and second thermography examination to asses changes in muscle tone. In both groups, there was an increase in skin surface temperature just after rESWT and a decrease 10 min after rESWT. In the study group, the skin surface temperature just after rESWT was higher than in the rESWT-sham group. In the study group, the average muscle tone before the rESWT was significantly higher than just after the procedure, whereas in the rESWT-sham group the change was not significant. This study proved that rESWT increases skin surface temperature of the longissimus dorsi muscle in clinically healthy horses. Further research is necessary in order to design shockwave treatment with appropriate parameters for effective and safe therapy. ABSTRACT: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) is increasingly being used to treat musculoskeletal injuries in horses. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of rESWT on the skin surface temperature of the longissimus dorsi muscle in clinically healthy racing horses. A total of 24 thoroughbreds were divided into a study group (n = 12) and an rESWT-sham group (n = 12). The study group underwent rESWT, whereas the rESWT-sham group had rESWT without probe activation in the treated area. Both groups underwent thermographic examination before and just after rESWT to determine and compare skin surface temperatures. Palpation examination was performed after the first and second thermography examination to assess longissimus dorsi muscle tone. Additionally, thermographic examination was repeated 10 min after the rESWT. In both groups, there was an increase in skin surface temperature just after rESWT, and a decrease 10 min after it to below the initial value. In the study group, the skin surface temperature just after rESWT was higher than in the rESWT-sham group. Additionally, in the study group the average muscle tone before rESWT was significantly higher than just after the procedure, whereas in the rESWT-sham group the average change in muscle tone was not significant. The results proved that rESWT increases skin surface temperature of the longissimus dorsi muscle in clinically healthy horses. Further research is necessary in order to configure shockwave treatment with appropriate parameters for effective and safe therapy.