PRP a New Option for Treating Injuries in the Horse

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a new treatment option that uses the patient’s own repair systems to improve healing and restore function.  As the name suggests, PRP is a by-product of blood that is rich in platelets.  So far, it has mostly been used in human medicine, but applications in veterinary medicine are growing. 

This treatment involves removing some of the patient’s (in this case, the horse’s) own blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to isolate platelet-rich plasma.   In so doing, platelets are increased from a normal concentration of 50-100/ml to 500,00/ml.  These platelets make blood clot and release growth factors that stimulate healing in bones, tendons, skin, and cartilage.  The PRP is then re-injected into the damaged area, with ultrasound guidance. As it is a byproduct of the animal’s own blood, rejection or transmission of disease is not an issue.  PRP can also be stored and injected into the horse again at a later time, if needed. 

Dr. Rob van Wessum, sport horse lameness clinician at the VTH, is interested in the potential benefits of PRP and, as a trial, used it on seven horses so far.  “I was amazed by the results,” he says. “Within one month, the architectural structure of the tissue was restored that normally takes six months to regenerate. We still don’t know for sure how long it will take to achieve the strength that normally takes six months.”

The VTH has now launched a larger study in which equine clients may participate.  All of the horses enrolled in the study will get the PRP treatment.  University-owned research horses and former clinical cases that did not get PRP will be used as controls. 

Van Wessum advocates a conservative approach to this work.  “If the horse can heal itself, leave it alone,” he advises.  “Plus, PRP is not suitable for all injuries -- acute lesions or acute inflammation, for example, because the high blood flow in the region will just flush away the injected PRP.”

Good case selection is critical, he cautions, both for the research project and for clinical practice.  “You need to ask:  Is the lesion not healing normally after a month of traditional treatment?  Is the lesion in an accessible location?  A high-quality ultrasound machine is important for locating the lesion and precisely targeting the injection.  And lastly, will the horse be available for rehabilitation and monitoring?  It should be seen once a month for six months.”

The research project is a team effort in the VTH.  Dr. Kimberly Johnston, a third-year equine surgery resident, is in charge of getting cases in.  Drs. John Stick, John Caron, and Frank Nickels are helping with case selection in the VTH.  Dr. van Wessum does the ultrasound examinations, injections, and monitoring. 

Clients whose horses are enrolled in the project will be charged $2,500 for all PRP-related treatment for six months.  That includes the initial injection, all rechecks, and reinjections, if needed. 

“Clients will have the satisfaction of knowing they are receiving a promising new treatment and helping research on an important topic at the same time,” van Wessum says.

For more information, contact the Large Animal Clinic at 517-353-9710 and ask for Dr. Johnston or Dr. van Wessum. 

Source: www.cvm.msu.edu