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Equine veterinary journal2023; 55(6); 979-987; doi: 10.1111/evj.13922

Treatment of racehorse superficial digital flexor tendonitis: A comparison of stem cell treatments to controlled exercise rehabilitation in 213 cases.

Abstract: Overstrain of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is a common Thoroughbred racehorse limb injury requiring treatment. Objective: To determine whether treatment of SDFT lesions in flat Thoroughbred racehorses with autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) or allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (A-MSCs) is associated with improved likelihood of returning to racing, when compared to racehorses managed with a controlled exercise rehabilitation program (CERP) alone. Methods: Retrospective cohort study combining clinical treatment records with race records. Methods: A total of 213 Thoroughbred racehorses were identified. All were prescribed the same 12-month CERP and 66 also received intralesional BM-MSC and 17 A-MSC treatment. Follow-up was a minimum of 2 years after return to full race training. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate associations between the treatments and the likelihood of returning to racing and completing five or more (C5+) races post-injury. Results: Compared to CERP alone, BM-MSC treatment was associated with increased odds of returning to racing (OR 3.19; 95% CI 1.55-6.81) and C5+ races post-injury (OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.32-5.33). Older age and increasing lesion length were associated with a reduced likelihood of returning to racing. Male sex and increased number of pre-injury starts were associated with increased odds of returning to racing. There was no observed increased likelihood of return to racing or C5+ races associated with treatment with A-MSCs compared to CERP alone. Conclusions: Due to the retrospective nature of the study it was not possible to ascertain how strictly the CERP was followed. Due to the novelty of the method, the A-MSC treatment group included a limited number of horses. Conclusions: In the study population, intralesional BM-MSC treatment was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of returning to racing and C5+ races post-injury compared to CERP alone. Intralesional A-MSC showed no significant association between treatment and the two investigated outcomes.
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Publication Date: 2023-01-16 PubMed ID: 36604727DOI: 10.1111/evj.13922Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 is about a comparison study of the effectiveness of two types of stem cell treatments versus a controlled exercise <a href="/equine-rehabilitation-guide/" title="rehabilitation program, in treating superficial digital flexor tendonitis in racehorses. The study found that treatment with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells increased the likelihood of racehorses returning to racing and completing subsequent races compared to the exercise program.

Research Background and Objective

  • The study focuses on superficial digital flexor tendonitis, a common limb injury in Thoroughbred racehorses.
  • The objective is to figure out if treatment of these tendon lesions with autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) or allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (A-MSCs) improves the horse’s chance of returning to racing, compared to those managed with a controlled exercise rehabilitation program (CERP) alone.

Methods

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study, combining clinical treatment records with race records.
  • The study included 213 Thoroughbred racehorses. All of them were prescribed the same 12-month CERP, out of which 66 also received intralesional BM-MSC treatment and 17 received A-MSC treatment.
  • The horses’ performances were tracked for a minimum of 2 years after they returned to full race training.
  • Multivariable logistic regression models were used to find out associations between the treatments and the likelihood of the horses returning to racing and completing five or more races post-injury.

Results

  • Compared to the exercise program alone, treatment with BM-MSCs increased the chances of horses returning to racing and completing subsequent races.
  • Factors such as older age and increasing lesion length were found to decrease the likelihood of returning to racing. On the other hand, male sex and increased number of pre-injury starts were associated with increased odds of returning to racing.
  • No increased likelihood of return to racing or subsequent races was observed with treatment using A-MSCs compared to CERP alone.

Conclusions

  • Due to the fact that the study is retrospective, it wasn’t possible to ascertain how strictly the prescribed CERP was followed.
  • Also, the novelty of the A-MSC treatment method meant that only a limited number of horses were treated with it, limiting the data available on its efficacy.
  • In conclusion, the study found that intralesional BM-MSC treatment significantly increased the likelihood of racehorses returning to racing and finishing more than five races post-injury compared to the exercise program alone. In contrast, A-MSC treatment didn’t show a significant association with the pursued outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Salz RO, Elliott CRB, Zuffa T, Bennet ED, Ahern BJ. (2023). Treatment of racehorse superficial digital flexor tendonitis: A comparison of stem cell treatments to controlled exercise rehabilitation in 213 cases. Equine Vet J, 55(6), 979-987. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13922

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 6
Pages: 979-987

Researcher Affiliations

Salz, Rachel O
  • REC Equine Specialists, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Elliott, Christopher R B
  • Elliott Equine Veterinary Sports Medicine, Ballina, New South Wales, Australia.
Zuffa, Tomas
  • Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Bennet, Euan D
  • School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Ahern, Benjamin J
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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