Bowed Tendon Treatment

Bowed tendons are a fairly common affliction to horses. More often seen in horses that are used for athletic endeavors, bowed tendons are often diagnosed when the horse has pain in a limb and the muscle behind the leg is unusually hot to the touch (meaning it's hotter than the muscles in the other legs). Bowed tendons are treated in different stages.

  1. Immediate Treatment

    • Acute treatment for a bowed tendon takes place immediately following the diagnosis of the injury. The initial treatment of a bowed tendon is very similar to pulled muscle treatment in humans. The spot of the bowed tendon should be treated with cold water to reduce the inflammation and to put a halt to any more damage occurring in the area. Anti-inflammatory medications can also be used to help control swelling and pain in the area. The injury should also be wrapped to stabilize the injured limb.

    Tendon Diagnosis and Repair

    • A bowed tendon will involve some tearing of the tendon material. The good news is that the horse's body will play a major role in repairing the damage caused. Having a veterinarian take a look at the affected area to check for fluid build up in the area is vital. The vet will use an ultrasound to establish the extent of the damage and what course of treatment should be considered. The area may be injected with hyaluronic acid which helps to alleviate some of the scarring that happens during the healing process.

    Acell Technology

    • Bowed tendons are sometimes treated with stem cells. The stem cells can either be infused with a bone marrow transplant or through injecting the animal's own stem cells back into the injured area in order to help with healing. Acell technology is another form of treatment that involves the injection of a non-cellular form of pig bladder that is used to help in the healing process and allow the tendons to heal more naturally. It can prevent future problems like tightness in the leg and shortened tendons, two common after-effects of a bowed tendon injury.

    Shock Wave Therapy

    • Shock wave therapy can be used as a way of helping to promote a faster, more reliable healing process. By using a current to create a liquid wave through the injured region, the healing and growth processes are stimulated.