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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2013; 243(1); 120-125; doi: 10.2460/javma.243.1.120

Injection of platelet- and leukocyte-rich plasma at the junction of the proximal sesamoid bone and the suspensory ligament branch for treatment of yearling Thoroughbreds with proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and associated suspensory ligament branch desmitis.

Abstract: To determine the effects of treatment with platelet- and leukocyte-rich plasma (PRP) on future 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old racing performance of yearling Thoroughbreds with proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and associated suspensory ligament branch (SLB) desmitis. Methods: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: 39 yearling Thoroughbreds. Methods: Yearling Thoroughbreds with radiographic evidence of performance-limiting proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and ultrasonographic evidence of associated SLB desmitis were identified and randomly assigned to undergo PRP (treatment group) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control group) injection at the affected SLB-proximal sesamoid bone junction. Race records of horses for the 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old racing years were obtained. Data regarding amount of money earned and number of races started were used as outcome measures, and results for groups were compared. Results: Horses treated with PRP were significantly more likely to start at least 1 race during the 2-year-old racing year than were horses treated with saline solution; no significant differences were detected between groups regarding that variable for the 3- and 4-year-old racing years. No significant differences between groups were detected regarding earnings for any racing year. Conclusions: Although PRP-treated horses were more likely to start a race during the 2-year-old racing year versus control group horses, results for horses in each group were not significantly different for the 3- and 4-year-old racing years. Therefore, the PRP treatment protocol evaluated in this study did not seem to improve future racing performance of yearling Thoroughbreds with proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and associated SLB desmitis, compared with injection of saline solution.
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Publication Date: 2013-06-22 PubMed ID: 23786200DOI: 10.2460/javma.243.1.120Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study investigates the impact of platelet- and leukocyte-rich plasma (PRP) injection as a treatment for young Thoroughbred horses suffering from inflammation in the proximal sesamoid bone and suspensory ligament branch desmitis, and their subsequent racing performance. The study found that while PRP treatment seemingly boosted chances of Thoroughbreds racing in their second year, it showed no substantial benefit for horses in the third and fourth years.

Methodology

  • This research was constituted as a randomized clinical trial involving 39 Thoroughbred yearlings.
  • The horses had radiographically detected proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and ultrasonographic proof of associated suspensory ligament branch desmitis.
  • The diagnosed horses were randomly assigned for treatment with either PRP (treatment group) or saline solution (control group) injected at the inflamed area of suspensory ligament branch and sesamoid bone junction.
  • Data from race records of treated horses for the 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old racing seasons were compiled.
  • The amount of money earned and number of races they participated in were used as performance outcome measures and this data for the two groups was compared.

Results

  • Horses treated with PRP showed a significantly higher probability of participating in at least one race during their second year of racing as compared to the saline solution treated horses.
  • No significant difference was found between the two groups for participation in races during the third and fourth year of racing seasons.
  • When it comes to their earnings from these races, no notable differences were found between the two groups in any racing season.

Conclusions

  • Although PRP treatment appeared to enhance the chances of Thoroughbreds racing in their second year, it showed no significant benefits for the third and fourth years.
  • The results suggest that the method of PRP treatment doesn’t seem to enhance the future racing performance of Thoroughbred yearlings suffering from proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and suspensory ligament branch desmitis, when compared with an injection of saline solution.

Cite This Article

APA
Garrett KS, Bramlage LR, Spike-Pierce DL, Cohen ND. (2013). Injection of platelet- and leukocyte-rich plasma at the junction of the proximal sesamoid bone and the suspensory ligament branch for treatment of yearling Thoroughbreds with proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and associated suspensory ligament branch desmitis. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 243(1), 120-125. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.243.1.120

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 1943-569X
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 243
Issue: 1
Pages: 120-125

Researcher Affiliations

Garrett, Katherine S
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40580, USA. kgarrett@roodandriddle.com
Bramlage, Lawrence R
    Spike-Pierce, Deborah L
      Cohen, Noah D

        MeSH Terms

        • Aging
        • Animals
        • Bone Diseases / therapy
        • Bone Diseases / veterinary
        • Female
        • Foot Bones
        • Horse Diseases / therapy
        • Horses
        • Inflammation / therapy
        • Inflammation / veterinary
        • Leukocytes
        • Ligaments
        • Male
        • Platelet-Rich Plasma
        • Running
        • Sports

        Citations

        This article has been cited 11 times.
        1. Franini A, Entani MG, Colosio E, Melotti L, Patruno M. Case report: Flexor carpi ulnaris tendinopathy in a lure-coursing dog treated with three platelet-rich plasma and platelet lysate injections. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1003993.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1003993pubmed: 36742986google scholar: lookup
        2. Nakajima K. Arthroscopic Autologous Bone Grafting for Hallux Sesamoid Fracture Nonunion Results in a High Rate of Complete Resolution. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil 2022 Oct;4(5):e1789-e1797.
          doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2022.07.007pubmed: 36312710google scholar: lookup
        3. Camargo Garbin L, Lopez C, Carmona JU. A Critical Overview of the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Equine Medicine Over the Last Decade. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:641818.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.641818pubmed: 33869321google scholar: lookup
        4. Montano C, Auletta L, Greco A, Costanza D, Coluccia P, Del Prete C, Meomartino L, Pasolini MP. The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment of Tenodesmic Lesions in Horses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Experimental Data. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 12;11(3).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11030793pubmed: 33809227google scholar: lookup
        5. Radtke AV, Goodale MB, Fortier LA. Platelet and Leukocyte Concentration in Equine Autologous Conditioned Plasma Are Inversely Distributed by Layer and Are Not Affected by Centrifugation Rate. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:173.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00173pubmed: 32478101google scholar: lookup
        6. Watts AE, Millar NL, Platt J, Kitson SM, Akbar M, Rech R, Griffin J, Pool R, Hughes T, McInnes IB, Gilchrist DS. MicroRNA29a Treatment Improves Early Tendon Injury. Mol Ther 2017 Oct 4;25(10):2415-2426.
          doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.07.015pubmed: 28822690google scholar: lookup
        7. Brossi PM, Moreira JJ, Machado TS, Baccarin RY. Platelet-rich plasma in orthopedic therapy: a comparative systematic review of clinical and experimental data in equine and human musculoskeletal lesions. BMC Vet Res 2015 Apr 22;11:98.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0403-zpubmed: 25896610google scholar: lookup
        8. Carmona JU, López C. Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Equine Tendon and Ligament Injuries: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Experimental Studies. Vet Sci 2025 Apr 18;12(4).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci12040382pubmed: 40284884google scholar: lookup
        9. Guest DJ, Birch HL, Thorpe CT. A review of the equine suspensory ligament: Injury prone yet understudied. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1167-1182.
          doi: 10.1111/evj.14447pubmed: 39604165google scholar: lookup
        10. 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).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci11080385pubmed: 39195839google scholar: lookup
        11. Peat FJ, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Berk JT, Keenan DP, Selberg KT, Ojeda A. Ultrasonography of the suspensory ligament branches in yearling and 2-year-old Thoroughbred sales horses: Prevalence, progression of findings and associations with racing performance. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):384-397.
          doi: 10.1111/evj.14137pubmed: 39007207google scholar: lookup
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