Pro-stride and extracorporeal shockwave therapy as treatment of lateral collateral desmopathy of the proximal interphalangeal joint in a Dutch Warmblood gelding.

A 6-year-old chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding was presented for right front lameness 1 mo after being cast in a stall at a 1.20-meter jumping event. Lameness work-up revealed mild lameness on the right and left front legs, with diffuse swelling over the right front pastern. Ultrasonic evaluation yielded suspicion of collateral desmopathy of the proximal interphalangeal joint that was subsequently confirmed MRI. Two weeks after initial evaluation, the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints were injected with Pro-Stride Autologous Protein Solution, immediately followed by Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy of the lateral and medial collateral ligaments. Follow-up at 2 and 3 mo after treatment revealed reduced joint effusion of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, as well as improved fiber organization of the associated collateral ligaments. This should inform practitioners that multimodal therapeutic treatments including biologics and stimulation of healing through sound waves can aid in ligamentous injuries in sport horses.