Athletic horses are prone to musculoskeletal injury of tendons or ligaments, any of which can be performance-limiting or career-ending. These tissues tend to have a relatively poor blood supply and limited cell populations, making it difficult for them to heal with other than scar tissue. Fibrous scar tissue at the "healed" site has less elasticity and function than normal surrounding tendon or ligament. Thus, the risk of reinjury increases, particularly in adult equine athletes.
Recent medical advances are relying on the use of regenerative therapy to stimulate healing for many orthopedic injuries as well as for treating bone and joint injuries and laminitis. Stem cells are unique in their capability to develop into different cell lines to facilitate tissue repair.
Related Articles
- Could Horses' Neck Postures Indicate Back Pain?
- Study: Horse Fitness, Layups, Usage Linked
- Diagnosing Equine Neck Conditions
- Horses' Physiologic Responses to Exercise
- Muscle Problems Can Cause Poor Equine Performance
- Help Sick Horses Heal with Nutrition
- Results of Standing Fracture Repair in Racehorses Examined
- Study Examines Post-Anesthetic Myelopathy in Horses
- Nutritional Support for Injured Equine Athletes
- Study Evaluates Injectable Treatment for Tendon Injuries
Related Multimedia & Downloads
Find more related content in:
