Abstract
Mechanisms to reduce lameness associated with osteoarthritis (OA) are vital to equine health and performance. This study was designed to quantify response to autologous, intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in horses with OA. Kinetic gait analysis was performed on 12 horses with unilateral forelimb lameness and OA in the same limb before and after intra-articular anesthesia (IAA). Radiographs and kinetic data were obtained before and 6 and 16 weeks after PRP administration to same joint, 4 weeks after IAA. Statistical evaluations included filtration effect on platelet concentration, relationship between kinetic variable changes after IAA versus PRP in the affected limb, and associations between response to PRP and response to IAA, platelet concentration, and radiographic OA. A positive response to IAA or PRP was defined as ≥5% improvement in peak vertical force, vertical impulse, or breaking impulse of the affected limb. Out of 10 horses that responded to IAA, 3 responded to PRP at both time points and 4 responded at one. Of the two horses that did not respond to IAA, one responded to PRP at both time points. Filtration increased platelet concentration significantly. The relationship between kinetic variable alterations of the affected limb after IAA and PRP was not significant, and response to PRP was not associated with response to IAA, platelet concentration, or radiographic OA. Changes in kinetic variables following IAA in joints with naturally occurring OA provide a custom standard to assess intra-articular therapy. Kinetic gait changes after intra-articular PRP are variable in horses with moderate to severe forelimb OA.
Highlights
Joint pain from osteoarthritis (OA) accounts for over 60% of equine lameness [1]
An initial goal was to establish a repeatable mechanism to objectively assess gait changes in the population by identifying kinetic gait variables that improved by a minimum of 5% from baseline within the majority of study subjects that exhibited reduced lameness following intra-articular anesthesia (IAA)
Horses from the Louisiana State University (LSU) Equine Health Studies Program research herd were evaluated for inclusion in the study using the following criteria: [1] adult horses of either sex, [2] a subjective American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) lameness grade of 2 or 3 in a single forelimb, and [3]
Summary
Joint pain from osteoarthritis (OA) accounts for over 60% of equine lameness [1]. Oral and injectable treatments have inconsistent results, potential side effects, and do not stop disease progression [3, 4]. Platelet growth factors are reported to enhance in vivo articular cartilage regeneration, but clinical efficacy is inconsistent [6]. Variable response to PRP therapy has been attributed to distinct isolation and preparation methods that impact platelet concentration and quality, as well as filtrate composition [5, 6]. Inconsistent treatment response may stem from differences among stages of naturally occurring OA that are distinct from each other and artificial models of joint trauma [7]
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