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The Veterinary record2021; 188(2); e9; doi: 10.1002/vetr.9

Use of autologous products for the treatment of joint and soft tissue disease in horses: A systematic review.

Abstract: Soft tissue injuries and joint disease are the predominate causes of lameness in the equine athlete and these pathologies carry a guarded prognosis for a return to previous performance. Recently the use of autologous products has become more widespread as a treatment in equine sports medicine. However, the efficacy of these products is yet to be fully established. To evaluate the current published evidence base regarding the efficacy of autologous products in soft tissue injuries and joint disease. A systematic review of English articles using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases from 1980 to 2017. The search strategy identified 1594 papers for review. Fifty-eight papers were included in this review, 28 of which were randomised controlled trials. Significant benefit was reported under several parameters, most notably in the use of autologous chondrocytes in artificially induced cartilage defects on histology. One paper documented a significant clinical response under lameness examination. The current literature shows that the treatment of soft tissue injury and cartilage disease with autologous products is safe and that the use of some products can give significant benefit on some outcome measures. True clinical significance is yet to be demonstrated with any product.
© 2021 British Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-19 PubMed ID: 34651853DOI: 10.1002/vetr.9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Systematic Review

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 discusses the application of autologous products as a treatment for joint and soft tissue disease in horses. Although the use of these products has become prevalent, their efficacy is still under review. The study includes a comprehensive review of previously published papers to determine the efficiency of these products in treating soft tissue injuries and joint disease.

Research Methodology

  • The research was done systematically by reviewing articles published in English using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from the year 1980 to 2017.
  • The search strategy resulted in the identification of 1594 papers for review.
  • Out of the total, 58 papers were included in the review, 28 of which were randomized controlled trials.

Key Findings

  • One of the key findings includes significant benefit found in the use of autologous chondrocytes in artificially induced cartilage defects on histology.
  • Another observation was that one paper documented a significant clinical response under a lameness examination.

Efficacy of Autologous Products

  • The current literature shows that the treatment of soft tissue injury and cartilage disease with autologous products is safe.
  • The use of some products can give significant benefits on some outcome measures. However, the extent of their clinical significance has not been determined conclusively for any product.

Conclusion

  • The systematic review suggests potential benefits of using autologous products in treating joint and soft tissue disease in equines.
  • Although the treatment has proven safe, more research is needed to establish the true clinical advantages of these products.

Cite This Article

APA
Tomlinson F, Terschuur J, Henson F. (2021). Use of autologous products for the treatment of joint and soft tissue disease in horses: A systematic review. Vet Rec, 188(2), e9. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.9

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 188
Issue: 2
Pages: e9

Researcher Affiliations

Tomlinson, Francesca
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Terschuur, Janine
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Henson, Frances
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cartilage Diseases / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Joint Diseases / therapy
  • Joint Diseases / veterinary
  • Transplantation, Autologous / veterinary

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