Evaluation of the effect of medical ozone usage on gait quality in thoracolumbar pain treatment in sports horses

In this study, 32 sport horses of different breeds (7 German, 3 English, 22 Arabian), sex (14 mares, 8 stallions, 10 geldings) and ages (between 4-20 ages), working in various disciplines with thoracolumbar pain were treated with ozone therapy using different methods. These methods were compared in terms of efficacy among themselves and with a control group given controlled rest. Comparisons were made on the basis of clinical examination with pain and gait quality ratings and infrared thermographic imaging. The patients were divided into 4 groups of 8 individuals each. First, thermograms of the thoracolumbar regions of the patients were taken under appropriate conditions. Afterwards, thoracolumbar pain examination was performed and pain ratings on palpation, thoracolumbar joint stiffness, gait quality and physical dysfunction under rider/saddle weight were evaluated. Group 1 received ozone treatment by paravertebral infiltration and rectal insufflation methods together, Group 2 received treatment gas only by paravertebral infiltration method and Group 3 received ozone treatment only by rectal insufflation method. Group 4 received 15 minutes of hand walking twice in the morning- evening and controlled barn rest. A total of 4 applications were performed 3 days apart and clinical examinations were repeated before each application and 3 days after the last application. Infrared thermographic imaging was performed only before the first treatment and 3 days after the last treatment. After statistical evaluation of the results, it was observed that when paravertebral infiltration and rectal insufflation methods were used together and when paravertebral infiltration method was applied alone, a significant improvement was observed in the quality of gait due to thoracolumbar pain in horses.