Regenerative Medicine
At Summerleaze we can offer a range of regenerative therapies for your horse or pony. The aim of these therapies is to help improve a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. These can vary from osteoarthritis to tendon injuries. This exciting and relatively new area of veterinary medicine includes the use of stem cells, IRAP and PRP. The exact prognosis with these therapies depends on the condition being treated and its severity but generally the aim of these biological therapies is to return your horse to its previous level of athleticism.
Stem Cells
Stem cells can be used for the treatment of tendon, ligament and joint diseases. We can use different type of stem cells. Stem cells can be pluripotent or multipotent enabling them to develop into different cells, hence they can be used for a wide range of different purposes. For example, with osteoarthritis cases we can inject stem cells in to replace the damaged surface of the joint. Stem cells can be extracted directly from the horse’s own bone marrow and then processed at a lab or we can use stem cells commercially produced.
IRAP
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein therapy uses a small amount of the horse’s own blood that is then incubated in a lab. The serum is then extracted once it has been activated by chromium beads. The therapy can be used to treat muscle, tendon, ligament injuries or joint inflammation. It relies upon the natural anti inflammatory and regenerative properties of the horse’s own blood.
PRP
Platelet rich plasma can also be used for the treatment of joint inflammation and soft tissue injury. A small amount of the horse’s own blood is used and passed through a filter. Within 15-30 minutes the sample is then able to be used. The platelets then encourage healing by releasing a wide range of growth factors.
The treatment option your veterinarian picks will be impacted by the exact condition and the severity of it.