stem cell treatment

[throwawayaccount]

has anyone had stem cell treatment done for their horse, if so do you think it has helped/would you recommend the treatment?

 

[Birker2020]

has anyone had stem cell treatment done for their horse, if so do you think it has helped/would you recommend the treatment?

Hi TAA. I know you haven't actually asked this question but in case you are offered a choice or it is suggested that you use PRP instead, I've had PRP for my previous horse Bailey.

PRP advantages is that it cheaper than stem cell and easier to get (its plasma directly from the blood of a horse) whereas the process of using bone-marrow-derived stem cells is time-consuming . Stem cell treatment is also much more expensive than PRP. However it aids reduction in inflammation and assists which proper fibre allignment.

That said, I wouldn't have PRP again because I've been told by a vet that in some instances the PRP can cause calcification build up within the ligament or tendon whereas I don't think stem cell has that disadvantage. Bailey ended up with limited movement and a mechanical lameness associated with calcification which interfered with the action of the suspensory branch. The vet didn't think it caused pain, just that it caused a bizarre hopping on the right rein because of the calcification.

Another choice is IRAP which is similar to the above and I believe this can now be used in soft tissue injuries like suspensory injuries and tendon sheath injuries although it used to be just for joints.

 

[HelenBack]

I did in my horse's hocks and didn't think it made much difference so would have to be convinced to try it again. I do know other people who have had more success than me though and my vets seem really keen on it, although I don't know how much that's because they're seeing good results as opposed to just that it's new and exciting.

I understand that it's better used in cases of early/ mild arthritis whereas my horse's arthritis was pretty advanced so maybe that's why it wasn't so good for us.

 

[Britestar]

I was advised against by a Vet School.

 

[Fieldlife]

I dont think it has turned out to be the miracle cure all that it was forecast to be a few years back.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Not stem cells but had a very good response to PRP for stifle lameness caused by mild OCD

 

[Birker2020]

I dont think it has turned out to be the miracle cure all that it was forecast to be a few years back.

This is often the case as newer better methods or treatment are pioneered.

An good example is Chemical arthrodesis. This literally saved my last horse when everything else failed but apparently there are better methods out there now which are more effective.

 

[throwawayaccount]

thanks all for your input my gelding is having the treatment done for his hocks so hopefully it helps

birker- i know what you mean about PRP, my mare had it done.. she has the ligament rescanned every year, just to make see how it is getting on. my old vets were adamant it had completely healed the ligament. new vets said different. shes comfortable enough to be a pretty ornament for now which is the main thing, but it gets disillusioning with all these treatments sometimes :s

 

[bouncing_ball]

This is often the case as newer better methods or treatment are pioneered.

A good example is Chemical arthrodesis. This literally saved my last horse when everything else failed but apparently there are better methods out there now which are more effective.

Dunno friend fairly recently had success with Chemical arthrodesis via a big vet hospital. Still used but not common I think.

 

[SEL]

I know someone who did for a suspensory injury. Pretty good result but the mare never returned to eventing and I think she's in a hacking home now.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I know someone who did for a suspensory injury. Pretty good result but the mare never returned to eventing and I think she's in a hacking home now.

Problem is, you don’t know if the suspensory would have healed with just rest back to hacking standard anyway or not.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

We haven't used stem cell treatment in the yard for many years. We use PRP on tendons if applicable. Nothing on ligaments.

 

[throwawayaccount]

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

Another PRP person here, horse had DDFT injury, operated on at UCD vet hospital. Surgeon recommended it, he seems to be healing well but no idea if it would have done anyway.

 

[mustardsmum]

One of ours had PRP on a check ligament injury about four years ago. It healed and we did a nine month rehab. At the time the last scan showed no scarring and we had no further issues with the ligament. But it would be interesting to scan now to see what it looked like a few years later. However I often wonder if the outcome would have been the same if we’d done the same box rest and rehab with out the PRP. At the time the vet was very enthusiastic to use it and said it was an excellent result as you couldn’t see the tear.