What is RF (Radio Frequency) Therapy?

How should I manage my horse following RF (Radio Frequency) Therapy?

Question: What is RF (Radio Frequency) Therapy?

Answer: RF Therapy is relatively new pain management technique borrowed from human medicine where it has been found to be effective in relieving chronic pain. See the article: Treating Lameness with RF in Flying Changes magazine in February of 2006 for the interview of Dr. Revenaugh on this topic by Lauren Davis Baker.

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Question: How should I manage my horse following RF (Radio Frequency) Therapy?

Answer: Monitor the incision site(s) for heat, swelling, pain or tenderness, and discharge. Keep this area clean and bandaged for the first 10 days or until the sutures are removed, changing the bandage every day. Sutures if present should be removed between 10 and 14 days following the procedure by your local veterinarian.

The horse should be stall rested with hand walking (10 min once daily) only for the first 10 days following the procedure. Give 1 gram of bute twice daily for the first 5 days, and 1 gram of bute once daily for the second 5 days. Also begin to give tucoprim orally (2 scoops daily) until the entire container is gone.

For the next 10 days, continue stall rest with hand walking of 10 min twice daily, plus or minus turnout in a small paddock. Following this period a slow return to light work may begin.

Radio Frequency Therapy causes selective damage to the deep pain nerve fibers while leaving the sensory nerve fibers intact. For a more complete explanation please refer to the article provided. Typically radio frequency therapy involves a single treatment followed by a period of observation to assess response to the therapy. Individual response to treatment does vary from dramatic to minimal with repeat treatments required for full effect in some cases. Therefore re-evaluation is critical to the treatment plans. If you have any concerns about the region treated, or the aftercare instructions please contact N.W.E.P. at the number listed.

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