Equine Ultrasound
Advanced Imaging for Lameness, Injury, and Rehabilitation
At Cave Creek Equine™ Sports Medicine & Surgery, equine ultrasound is an essential diagnostic tool we use to evaluate, treat, and monitor a wide range of conditions affecting performance horses. Whether we’re diagnosing lameness, tracking soft tissue healing, or guiding regenerative therapy, ultrasound allows us to provide precise, real-time care tailored to each horse’s needs.
As leaders in equine sports medicine in Arizona, we use ultrasound to help equine athletes recover from injury and return safely to work.
What is equine ultrasound?
Equine ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of internal structures like tendons, ligaments, and organs. A handheld probe, called a transducer, sends these sound waves into the horse’s body, where they bounce off tissues and return to the probe. The echoes are then displayed as live images on a monitor, giving our veterinarians a clear, detailed view of what’s happening inside your horse—without the need for surgery or invasive diagnostics.
When Do We Use Equine Ultrasound?
Our equine sports medicine veterinarians use ultrasound in many clinical situations, but it plays an especially important role in the care of sport horses. Common applications include:
Soft Tissue Injuries and Lameness Diagnosis
Ultrasound is ideal for evaluating tendon and ligament injuries in horses, allowing us to see fiber patterns, detect inflammation or tearing, and monitor healing over time. It’s an essential part of diagnosing and managing equine lameness and soft tissue injuries, helping guide both treatment and rehabilitation decisions.
Rehabilitation Monitoring
Dr. Martin Vidal and Dr. Lea Walker are the only two board-certified rehabilitation (ACVSMR) veterinarians in Arizona. Our team emphasizes rehabilitation as part of a horse’s long-term recovery. Ultrasound allows us to closely monitor progress, adjust treatment protocols, and determine when it’s safe to increase a horse’s workload—all with the goal of preventing re-injury and promoting optimal healing.
Guided Regenerative Therapy
For advanced regenerative therapies, such as stem cell injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or pro-stride injections, ultrasound is used to guide the treatment directly to the injured area. This level of precision improves outcomes and supports the science-backed, innovative therapies offered by our veterinarians. Dr. Martin Vidal and Dr. Fabio Aristizabal are pioneers in equine stem cell research.
Colic and Internal Imaging
Ultrasound is also used to assess internal organs like the intestines, heart, and lungs. In cases of colic, it helps us differentiate between medical and surgical causes and guide immediate care decisions. While our main focus is sports medicine, we apply ultrasound imaging when needed to support broader internal medicine evaluations.
Why Use Ultrasound for Equine Athletes?
- Non-Invasive: No surgery or sedation needed
- Real-Time Imaging: See movement, inflammation, or healing as it happens
- Field-Ready: Portable equipment allows on-site diagnosis and monitoring
- Precision: Helps guide treatment and monitor healing with accuracy
- Versatile: Supports diagnosis, rehabilitation, and regenerative medicine
Trust Your Horse’s Care to Arizona’s Equine Sports Medicine Experts
At Cave Creek Equine™ Sports Medicine & Surgery, ultrasound imaging is more than a diagnostic—it’s a strategic tool we use to help horses recover, rebuild, and return to peak performance. Whether you’re dealing with a soft tissue injury, planning a regenerative treatment, or managing your horse’s return to work, our ultrasound capabilities and veterinary sports medicine expertise ensure the best care every step of the way.
For more information or to schedule a visit with a sports medicine specialist, please contact us at 623-581-5508.
