RF Therapy (Radio Frequency Treatment)

This therapy is taken from human medicine and has been modified for use in horses. Dr. Revenaugh has been directly involved and at the forefront of the modification of the therapy and its subsequent use in horses.   RF therapy is an alternative to a neurectomy ("nerving") of the foot in some chronic foot lamenesses. RF uses radio frequency to inactivate a portion of the nerves supplying the foot that are associated with pain. However, unlike a neurectomy which also removes sensation of the region affected by the nerve, RF leaves sensation intact as it acts selectively on "A delta C" nerve fibers associated with chronic pain while leaving sensation and acute pain fibers intact. The RF procedure is also less invasive than neurectomy, and is done under standing sedation with two small incisions. RF therefore offers a safer and less invasive alternative to neurectomy in some cases. RF therapy can also be used for treatment of soft tissue injuries.

For More Information:

Treating Lameness with RF by Lauren Davis Baker in the March 2006 Issue of Flying Changes Magazine .