SPORTS MEDICINE SERVICES


Sports Medicine Services

Fx Equine is a sports medicine exclusive veterinary practice based in the heart of the Rio Verde area. We focus on a quality, detailed, and systematic approach in restoring normal form and function in the performance horse. By incorporating the latest in diagnostic modalities, Fx Equine customizes a treatment, rehabilitation, or conditioning program that fits the needs of the horse and rider.

We provide in-clinic evaluations, traveling, and consultative services. We strive to provide the most innovative, state-of-the-art, and progressive diagnostics/treatments available.


Our Services

  • Our practice takes pride in sending you the most qualified veterinarian to evaluate your next performance horse.

    Pre-purchase evaluations are designed to gather data for an interested buyer so that he/she may make an educated decision on the horse’s suitability for use in an intended endeavor.

  • Did you know that Dr. Factor focuses exclusively on lameness and poor performance in sport horses? She has completed post-doctoral training and pursued extra certifications in her field of work. Choosing Fx Equine for your horse’s moving evaluation means that you will receive an extremely thorough work-up.

  • Diagnostic blocking is a very important step in lameness evaluations to specifically locate sources of pain. This portion of a lameness evaluation may take some time, but is extremely helpful to the data gathering process.

  • Fx Equine offers digital radiography and ultrasound. She also consults with a boarded radiologist in reviewing your horse’s images.

  • Healthy joint function is a basic requirement of a sport horse. Degenerative joint conditions, like osteoarthritis, are a very common cause of poor performance, but can be successfully managed by a multitude of modalities. Direct joint treatment with anti-inflammatory medications can be extremely beneficial.

  • Our practice works side-by-side with farriers to facilitate shoeing strategies by measuring balance and angles through radiology. A sound horse starts with a healthy, balanced, and functional foot.

    Radiology and ultrasound can also be used to guide medications into regions that are anatomically more difficult to access (i.e. Sacroiliac joints) or to insure proper and specific placement of treatments into soft tissue injuries (i.e. stem cells or platelet-rich plasma).

  • Whenever there has been significant damage to a soft tissue structure, a regenerative approach may help re-establish what the body has lost by restoring normal site-specific tissue. We offer stem cells, autologous cell protein (ACP), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP) treatments.

  • Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive, high intensity, acoustic (pressure) wave that aims at a specific point within a tissue. It acts as a mechanical force at a cellular level. We use this modality to speed healing of tendon/ligament injuries, for wound healing, and for alleviating pain and inflammation associated with degenerative joint disease.

  • Medical acupuncture is a relatively new treatment modality in the U.S., but is recognized as a scientifically proven method of providing pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects. Fx Equine believes that acupuncture is a great adjunctive/maintenance tool to maintain normal homeostasis in the performance horse.

  • This treatment modality is used to inhibit the “pain spasm cycle” associated with chronic conditions. Mesotherapy involves injecting a combination of substances into the middle layer of the skin. Combined with other treatment types and rehabilitation, it can provide significant pain relief.

  • K-Laser USA Class IV therapeutic laser delivers specific red and near-infrared wavelengths of laser light to induce a photochemical reaction and therapeutic effect. Physiological effects include increased circulation, reduced inflammation, pain reduction and enhanced tissue healing.

    Laser therapy has been used in Europe since the 1970s and was cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005.

  • Our comprehensive exams include an integrative portion that identifies restrictions in motion segments of the body. Restrictions can affect the body through local effects, compensatory effects, and nervous system effects. When a restriction is found that is amenable to medical manipulation, a directed thrust in the paraphysiologic range may help restore normal range of motion and relief.

    Chiropractic should not be used in replacement of conventional medicine and may be contraindicated with certain conditions. Please inquire with Dr. Factor on this approach and if it may be a good fit for your horse.

  • Designed with whole body vertical vibration, this modality reduces muscle soreness and inflammation while increasing bone density. Improved circulation means better oxygenation of the tissues, removal of toxins and metabolic waste.