Injuries of the muscle, tendons, ligaments, fascia and periosteum are often encountered by the Equine Practitioner. Tendon and ligament are composed of collagen fibers which penetrate the periosteum as Sharpey's fibers. These fibers at the periosteum are vulnerable to repetitive stress and sudden tears from acute trauma. Skin ulcerations and traumatic wounds are also common.

Following soft tissue injury, noxious chemicals such as bradykinins, prostaglandins, histamine, substance P and serotonin are released in the inflammatory response and irritate free nerve endings causing pain. Part of the inflammatory reaction and pain response results in splinting, muscle and vasospasm which trap the irritating inflammatory substances in the tissue resulting in delayed healing and prolonged pain.

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