Prospective randomized comparison of platelet rich plasma to extracorporeal shockwave therapy for treatment of proximal suspensory pain in western performance horses.

The research evaluates and compares the long-term benefits of two veterinary treatments – extracorporeal shockwave therapy (EST) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy – for lameness caused by proximal suspensory desmitis, a common performance issue for western performance horses. Results demonstrate that, while both treatments are beneficial, EST may be more effective for horses with less severe conditions, and PRP may be more appropriate for horses suffering from a more severe ailment.

Understanding the Research Study

• The primary goal of this study is to analyze the long-lasting effectiveness of EST and PRP, two widely used treatments for proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD; an inflammation in horses causing lameness). The research is randomized and prospective, putting a number of horses with PSD through either one of the two treatments based on chance, not pre-selection.
• One hundred horses with lameness localized to the proximal suspensory ligament (the structure affected by PSD) were treated with either PRP or EST after their initial ultrasonographic evaluation. This evaluation enabled the researchers to categorize the severity of each horse’s PSD.
• Follow-ups were carried out at specific intervals post-treatment: four days, six months, and a year. During these periods, both a veterinarian and an agent assessed the degree of lameness present in the horses.

Key Findings of the Study

• The results reveal a more significant improvement in lameness in horses treated with EST compared to those treated with PRP four days after the first treatment.
• Upon comparing the effectiveness of the two treatments after a year in relation to the initial severity of the horses’ conditions, the study found that horses with less severe PSD responded better to EST, while those with more severe PSD responded better with PRP.
• Horses with less severe cases of lameness (grades 1 or 2) were over five times more likely to recover and return to work at the end of a year, as compared to more severely affected horses (grades 3 or 4).
• Considering return to work at the end of the year, EST treatment was associated with a nearly four times greater success rate compared to PRP, irrespective of the initial severity of PSD as measured by ultrasound.
• In conclusion, both PRP and EST are effective therapeutic options for treating PSD in Western performance horses. Selection between these two might be guided by the baseline ultrasound scans indicating the severity of the condition.