Stem cell therapy

Stem cells are cells that have the ability to divide and form a wide variety of new types of tissue. Their use has been researched extensively for the treatment of tendon injuries as these injuries are often very slow to heal and have a high chance of recurring due the formation of in-elastic scar tissue instead of elastic tendon tissue. Stem cells are harvested from the patients bone marrow and then cultured (or grown) in a specialist laboratory before being injected into the injured tissue. The early results for this new treatment have been published in the veterinary literature and do show some good results for these injuries which can be difficult and frustrating to treat.

PRP (Platelet Rich plasma)

PRP is a way of processing whole blood from a patient which results in a fluid (Plasma) component with a concentrated proportion of platelets. Platelets are involved in blood clotting and in wound healing and they contain large quantities of growth factors (TGF, PDGF, IGF, EGF and TGF). These growth factors are released when the platelets are broken down and result in the formation of new blood vessels and the formation of new connective tissue and regeneration of skin.

We are currently using PRP as a treatment for tendon and ligament injuries and for selected joint injuries. The early results for this very new treatment are encouraging.

IRAP and IRAP II

IRAP is a new natural treatment that has been developed for the treatment of joint disease in horses. IRAP stands for IInterleukin Receptor Antagonist Protein which is part of the body’s natural mechanism of stopping inflammation within joints.  IRAP is a naturally occurring protein that is made by incubating the patients blood is specially designed syringes. The compound is extracted by a process of centrifugation and then injected into the affected joint.

IRAP is particularly suited to the treatment of inflamed joints after an injury and in the treatment of osteoarthritis. IRAP is not suitable if there is an underlying cause of the inflammation that requires surgical treatment such as a chip fracture or damage to the cartilage that occurs in OCD.

We have recently started using a new system for processing IRAP called IRAP II. The new system produces a significantly greater yield of IRAP which improves the results and helps your horse get back to full fitness.