A rapidly progressing field, regenerative medicine provides complementary and alternative options to improve the quality of healing equine injuries. Dedicated research is continually being performed in an attempt to allow veterinary intervention to manipulate and optimized the local healing environment with various products and adjunct modalities. Treatments are based on the specific region of injury and individualized to the patient.
STEM CELLS
The high frequency and severity of injuries in horses has placed veterinary medicine at the forefront of research and the clinical application of stem cells as a regenerative approach to healing in horses. Stem cells involve utilizing the horse’s own regenerative capabilities to heal soft tissue and bone. It is the goal of SLREH to provide the most up to date treatment modalities for our clients. Currently, treatment results are promising although there are still many challenges and unanswered questions regarding this modality. There is a short delay between diagnosing the injury and administering stem cells as they are processed, cultured & expanded to provide an optimal dose for treatment.
PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP)
Tendon, ligament and other soft-tissue injuries commonly result in performance issues in the equine athlete. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is becoming a potential stand-alone or adjunctive bioactive treatment modality to augment tissue repair. The improved healing is attributed to cellular signaling, initiated by the growth factor content in platelets, which are responsible for tissue regeneration, synthesis and proliferation.
PRP therapy can be initiated as a ‘stall-side’ therapy that is prepared, processed and administered on the same day as your scheduled appointment.
IRAP
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein is also known as aulogously conditioned serum (ACS). In contrast to stem cells and PRP that are utilized to enhance tissue healing through metabolic signaling and growth (anabolic agent), IRAP is thought of as an anti-inflammatory (anti-catabolic).
IRAP is most commonly administered intra-articularly for treatment of osteoarthritis, however, it has also been utilized in soft tissue injuries. There is a 24 hour delay between drawing blood for IRAP processing and administration with additional doses stored in a frozen state for future treatments.
SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive method of therapy utilizing high energy sound waves to treat a focal area. ESWT stimulates bone metabolism, promotes anti-inflammatory properties, and provides analgesia.
Indications include buck shins, insertional desmopathies, navicular syndrome, dorsal spinous process impingement (kissing spines), back pain, osteoarthritis, annular ligament desmopathy, splint bone issues, tendon and ligament injuries.