Proximal suspensory desmitis in the horse: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy compared to injections according to Dr. Muller-Wohlfahrt. A field study.

62 horses with a proximal suspensory desmitis were examined and treated on field conditions at a clinic with a high rate of showhorses. After a survey of the case history and a complete clinical and sonographical examination the horses were classified into three groups: group 1 (n = 28) was treated with electromagnetically generated extracorporeal shock waves (ESWT) and group 2 (n = 19) with injections according to Dr. Muller-Wohlfahrt (MW-injections), consisting of a successive injection of a local anaesthetic, a physiological solution of amino acids, two different homeopathic remedies, a vitamin B-drug and a solution of heparin. Group (n = 15) received alternate ESWT and MW-injections. The evaluation showed that especially dressage horses, middle-aged horses and highly educated showhorses are prone to this disease. Most of the cases were of acute nature, showing a slight lameness, and had a grade 2 sonographic lesion. At the final examination 18/28 horses treated with ESWT were clinically and sonographically healed, 8/28 had improved and 2/28 showed a worsening. Within the chronic cases (n = 12) a clinical and sonographical healing was achieved in 7/12 horses. 11/19 horses treated with MW-injections were clinically and sonographically healed at the final examination, 5/19 had improved and 3/19 showed a worsening. Within the chronic cases (n = 7) a clinical and sonographical healing was reached in 3/7 horses. The combination of MW-injections and ESWT produced the worst outcome. Due to the small focus of 2.4 x 25 mm (Minilith SL1, Storz Medical) and the integrated ultrasound generator a damaging of the surrounding tissue could be avoided and no clinical side effects occurred during ESWT.