IRAP experiences/info?

[TarrSteps]

Someone was asking me about IRAP therapy today but I haven't had enough experience to advise so I thought I'd ask you wise lot.

Any personal experiences? Qualifiers?

If you'd rather preserve your anonymity (reasonably enough) please pm.

 

[saz5083]

My horse is half way through IRAP treatment on his knee just now, what would you like to know?

My experience so far is good. He's had two injections, is on box rest with controlled (or not so if he has anything to do with it!) exercise. He is feeling very well in himself and looks almost totally sound (4weeks post arthroscopy, 2.5weeks after first injection). Initial prognosis for return to athletic function (after discovering some severe damage and degradation in the joint) was very poor but they are now hopeful that in time he could have a dressage career.
Swelling is minimal, risk of side effects much less than standard joint interventions and he hasnt needed any additional pain relief. Will have his final injection in 10days and will hopefully be able to be turned out 2-4weeks after that to begin a few months field rest.

ETA: It wont 'fix' the damage that is there but is meant to prevent it getting worse. The reason they improve is down to the innate anti-inflammatory properties of the serum when injected back in. Contrary to what some sources claim, it is not regenerative. Maybe one day the science will be advanced enough but at the moment its just not sadly!

 

[Thistle]

Good article in H&H this week about it. Hector had PRP treatment (another biologic treatment) on his recurrent front suspensory injury and atm (touch wood) is looking good despite his best efforts to wreck his legs when he is turned out

 

[TarrSteps]

I think basically the owner is trying to decide whether it's worth a punt. From what I understand there was an obvious problem which was treated successfully but the horse has not come back to full soundness and vet feels it's more down to wear and tear/residual soft tissue trauma. The horse is young, talented and otherwise sound, so they would like to give him every chance. I think the sticking point is the therapy has just not been widely applied for long enough to get a good body of anecdotal evidence, especially re long term prognosis.

 

[saz5083]

Well from my point of view it was worth trying. My lad is 10, had never had any soundness issues before (and by all accounts had lived with a degree of this damage for a long time!). He was eventing last season and being well placed at BE100/BE100+, was ready to move up to Nov. He now wont jump again but as I said, should make a decent dressage horse (its the impact landing over a fence that could be his downfall with the damage that is there) and while we're gutted he wont get to do the job he loves we figured dressage was better than nothing

Worth having a good long chat with the vet. The treatment has been around a few years now so there must be some stories out there about long term prognosis. Its not the cheapest treatment in the world but is less 'risky' in terms of side effects than others available.

 

[Thistle]

Have a look at PRP as well then, not as costly as IRAP and supposedly good at kick starting healing at old injury sites

 

[JGC]

I have a friend who's horse has been having treatment over a couple of years in his hock now and she's over the moon with it. I will try to get some more info from her.

 

[Ludi-doodi]

QR
In short - great stuff and worked wonders with my horse following an arthoscopy to the collatoral ligament. Here's a link to another thread which asks the same question - might have some useful info
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=411721&highlight=IRAP