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Autologous bone marrow aspirate for treatment of superficial digital flexor tendonitis in 105 racehorses.
Abstract: To evaluate a treatment protocol whereby superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses was treated with autologous bone marrow aspirate (ABMA) obtained from the sternebrae. This treatment was combined with desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the SDF tendon (DAL-SDFT) in selected cases. Medical records of 105 horses treated using the reported protocol were reviewed. Signalment, history and details of treatment were recorded. Racing records were reviewed and performance recorded. Of Thoroughbreds, 82 per cent had one or more starts within the follow-up period and 59 per cent had five or more starts. Of Standardbreds, 76 per cent had one or more starts and 62 per cent had five or more starts. A statistically significant difference was found when comparing race starts between sexes, with females having less starts than males (≥1start P=0.017 and ≥5 starts P=0.008, respectively). The proportions of horses having one or more starts and five or more starts did not differ significantly if a DAL-SDFT was performed or not (P=0.31 and 0.63, respectively). Horses with a core lesion in the body of the SDFT have a good prognosis for return to racing following intralesional ABMA injection. Addition of DAL-SDFT to the treatment regimen did not significantly influence outcome.
British Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2016-05-20 PubMed ID: 27206445DOI: 10.1136/vr.103620Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study evaluates a treatment for superficial digital flexor tendonitis in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses using autologous bone marrow aspirate obtained from the sternebrae of the horses. The study concludes that horses with a core lesion in the body of the superficial digital flexor tendon have good chances of return to racing after an intralesional autologous bone marrow aspirate injection and the addition of desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon to the treatment regimen does not significantly impact the outcome.
Research Methodology
- The records of 105 Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses treated with autologous bone marrow aspirate (ABMA), obtained from the sternebrae, were reviewed. In some cases, this treatment was combined with the surgical procedure of desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (DAL-SDFT).
- Data on signalment, historical medical information, and details related to the ABMA treatment were recorded and analysed.
- The racing records of the treated horses were also reviewed and their performance post-treatment was recorded.
Research Findings
- 82% of Thoroughbreds and 76% of Standardbreds had one or more starts in the follow-up period, while 59% of Thoroughbreds and 62% of Standardbreds had five or more starts.
- A statistically significant difference was noted in the number of race starts between male and female horses, with females having fewer starts than males.
- No significant difference was observed in the proportions of horses which had one or more starts and those that had five or more starts, regardless of whether a DAL-SDFT surgical procedure was carried out or not.
Conclusions
- Horses that had a core lesion in the body of the superficial digital flexor tendon showed a high likelihood of return to racing after ABMA injection.
- The addition of a DAL-SDFT procedure to the treatment regimen did not seem to have a significant impact on the outcome.
Cite This Article
APA
Russell JW, Russell TM, Vasey JR, Hall MS.
(2016).
Autologous bone marrow aspirate for treatment of superficial digital flexor tendonitis in 105 racehorses.
Vet Rec, 179(3), 69.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.103620 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Victorian Equine Group, Bendigo Equine Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
- Victorian Equine Group, Bendigo Equine Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
- Victorian Equine Group, Bendigo Equine Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
- Victorian Equine Group, Bendigo Equine Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Marrow Transplantation / veterinary
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Running / statistics & numerical data
- Tendinopathy / therapy
- Tendinopathy / veterinary
- Transplantation, Autologous / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Jacquet-Guibon S, Dupays AG, Coudry V, Crevier-Denoix N, Leroy S, Siñeriz F, Chiappini F, Barritault D, Denoix JM. Randomized controlled trial demonstrates the benefit of RGTA® based matrix therapy to treat tendinopathies in racing horses. PLoS One 2018;13(3):e0191796.
- Najeb M, Samy A, Rizk A, Mosbah E, Karrouf G. Regenerative biologics modulating inflammation and promoting tenogenesis in equine superficial digital flexor tendonitis: from molecular pathways to clinical translation. Ir Vet J 2025 Sep 17;78(1):21.
- Guelfi G, Capaccia C, Tedeschi M, Bufalari A, Leonardi L, Cenci-Goga B, Maranesi M. Dog Aging: A Comprehensive Review of Molecular, Cellular, and Physiological Processes. Cells 2024 Dec 18;13(24).
- Carmona JU, Carmona-Ramírez LH, López C. Platelet-Rich Plasma and Related Orthobiologics for the Treatment of Equine Musculoskeletal Disorders-A Bibliometric Analysis from 2000 to 2024. Vet Sci 2024 Aug 21;11(8).
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