Swim training as therapy of neurogenic induced unilateral shoulder instability in three horses

Swim training as therapy of neurogenic induced unilateral shoulder instability in three horses

Schwimmtraining als Rehabilitationsmethode bei neurogen bedingter unilateraler Schulterinstabilität bei drei Pferden

Rattenhuber S, Benz H, Gajewski Z, Carstanjen B

DOI: 10.21836/PEMen20120604
Year: 2012
Volume: 28
Issue: 6
Pages: 665-667

This case report describes swim training as a treatment of a traumatically induced unilateral paralysis of the suprascapular/brachialis nerves combined with shoulder instability in three horses. Two horses had a history of shoulder instability of three months duration and one horse of six months duration. All horses showed full-weight-bearing and shoulder stability of the affected limb after one month of swim training. Altogether, physiotherapy and swim training were performed for a period of two to 5.3 months. In two horses atrophy of the supraand infraspinosus muscles resolved completely. One horse showed moderate muscle atrophy at discharge. Swim training might be a valuable therapeutic option in horses affected with unilateral paralysis of the suprascapular / brachialis nerves.