Abstract: Tendon and ligament injuries are significant causes of loss of use and early retirement in performance horses. Amniotic fluid and tissue are excellent sources of growth factors and cytokines important in tendon and ligament healing. Thus, an equine-origin liquid amnion allograft (ELAA) may be beneficial in the treatment of equine tendonitis and desmitis. Objectives of this study were to report the outcome achieved (i.e. ability to return to work) for horses diagnosed with tendonitis or desmitis lesions treated with local injection of ELAA and to compare these outcomes to those reported for other regenerative medicine modalities. Methods: A prospective, multi-center, non-blinded clinical trial was conducted. Equine veterinarians at 14 sites were selected to participate in the data collection for the trial. Criterion for inclusion was a horse presenting with lameness which was attributed to tendonitis or desmitis by diagnostic anesthesia and/or imaging. These horses were subsequently treated by local injection of the lesion with ELAA by the attending veterinarian. Standardized questionnaires describing each horse's signalment, discipline, ability to return to work, and any adverse events were completed and submitted by the attending veterinarian following a minimum of six months of follow-up. The current literature was reviewed to identify clinical studies reporting outcomes of equine tendonitis/desmitis lesions treated with other regenerative therapies. Contingency table analyses were performed comparing outcomes. Results: Questionnaires for 100 horses with 128 tendonitis and desmitis lesions met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 72 horses with 94 lesions returned to or exceeded their original level of work, 10 horses with 13 lesions returned to work but could not perform to previous standards, and 18 horses with 20 lesions did not return to work as a result of the injury. No differences were observed when outcome of horses treated with ELAA were compared to those of similar studies using other regenerative therapies. Conclusions: Treatment of tendonitis and desmitis lesions by local injection of ELAA resulted in similar outcomes for horses returning to previous level of performance as other regenerative modalities such as mesenchymal stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and autologous conditioned serum; however, blinded placebo-controlled studies are indicated.
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This research study investigates the effectiveness of using equine-origin liquid amnion allograft (ELAA) in treating tendon and ligament injuries in performance horses, finding similar outcomes to other forms of regenerative treatment like stem cells and platelet-rich plasma.
Overview of the Study
The research was a prospective, multi-center, non-blinded clinical trial aimed at understanding the benefits of ELAA in the treatment of tendonitis or desmitis in horses.
To qualify for the study, a horse had to present with lameness attributed to tendonitis or desmitis based on diagnostic anesthesia or imaging.
Affected horses were treated locally with injections of ELAA by a veterinarian, and outcomes were monitored over a period of at least six months.
The researchers made comparisons between their results and the results of similar studies using other regenerative medicines, such as mesenchymal stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and autologous conditioned serum.
Results of the Study
The study involved 100 horses manifesting 128 lesions due to tendonitis or desmitis. Out of these, 72 horses with 94 lesions were able to return to their original levels of performance or exceeded them.
An additional 10 horses with 13 lesions were able to return to work, but could not perform to their previous standards.
18 horses with 20 lesions were unable to return to work as a result of their injury.
When these outcomes were compared to past studies using other types of regenerative treatment, there was no significant difference in results.
Conclusion of the Study
Overall, the research concluded that treating tendonitis and desmitis lesions by locally injecting ELAA yielded similar outcomes in terms of horses returning to previous performance levels as did other regenerative therapies.
The study, however, acknowledges the need for further research including blinded, placebo-controlled studies in order to further validate these results.
Cite This Article
APA
Duddy HR, Schoonover MJ, Hague BA.
(2022).
Outcome following local injection of a liquid amnion allograft for treatment of equine tendonitis or desmitis – 100 cases.
BMC Vet Res, 18(1), 391.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03480-5
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
Schoonover, Mike J
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA. mjsdvm@gmail.com.
Hague, Brent A
Oakridge Equine Hospital, Edmond, OK, USA.
MeSH Terms
Horses
Animals
Horse Diseases / surgery
Horse Diseases / diagnosis
Amnion / pathology
Prospective Studies
Tendinopathy / surgery
Tendinopathy / veterinary
Allografts / pathology
Treatment Outcome
Conflict of Interest Statement
MJS and BAH have consulting agreements with Equus Innovations. Their responsibilities are to serve as medical experts on issues pertaining to products, collaborate with personnel and external parties in the selection, construction and implementation of clinical trials to evaluate performance of products, participate in product design, development, and testing and engage with stakeholders on a peer-to-peer basis regarding product use, characteristics and potential for expanded clinical indications. Additionally, BAH is a minority shareholder in Equus innovations. HRD has no conflicts of interest to declare.
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