At Avonvale Equine Vet Practice, we offer a diverse range of treatments for arthritis, tendon injuries and other conditions. Our comprehensive treatment options include shockwave therapy, stem cell therapy and a range of medications.
Our highly qualified and experienced equine vets can treat and manage tendon injuries, osteoarthritis and other joint conditions using a range of regenerative treatments. Below are some of the regenerative medicines available to our clients.
Stem cells have been used for the treatment of tendon and ligament injuries for the last 20 years, with a growing body of research to support their use. Traditionally, bone marrow was harvested from the patient to then culture stem cells for use in the injured tendon. Now, there are commercial preparations available making stem cell therapy more widely available and more cost effective. Stem cells can be injected into core lesions in tendons or ligaments under ultrasound guidance in the first few weeks after injury. This procedure can be carried out on your yard or at our partner facility Lynwood Stud.
Stem cells can also be injected into joints in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This is approach is designed to actually heal cartilage lesions, rather than just reduce inflammation. To date, most of the research is centred around stem cell use in relatively early osteoarthritic joints, in younger horses, where you would hope to ‘cure’ the lesion and prevent progression.
Other joint medications can be used to treat a wide selection of joint and tendon sheath problems in horses. Medicating synovial structures in horses with corticosteroids is a commonly performed technique. It can be used to manage chronic arthritis or help in cases of acute inflammation. Synovial structures need to be injected in a sterile manner, but in most cases, this can be performed on your yard.
Arthramid is a plastic polymer used to treat osteoarthritic joints. It can be used in combination with corticosteroids or alone. It can result in several years of soundness in horses suffering from chronic arthritis.
Sildenafil, mepivacaine and glucose (SMG)
Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra, its use in joints has been developed recently in Europe for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Research has found that the use of sildenafil, mepivacaine and glucose in combination will reduce joint inflammation, giving a lasting improvement. This combination of drugs can only be used in horses not competing under BHA or FEI rules, as to date these are banned substances under these authorities.
Ethanol is pure alcohol, which can be specifically used to treat osteoarthritis of the lower hock joints by hastening their fusion. It is injected under xray guidance and can be very effective in the right cases.
Equine Shockwave Therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions. It uses sound waves to stimulate tissue and instigate healing. Most horses undergo a course of treatment, usually consisting of 3–4 sessions. The timing of these sessions is dictated by the injury being treated. Shockwave is most commonly used to treat tendon and ligament injuries, but is very versatile and can be used to treat back and neck pain amongst other things. Our vets can discuss with you whether shockwave is suitable for your horse. Equine shockwave therapy can be performed on your yard, as long as mains power is available. It is non-invasive and well tolerated, with some horses requiring mild sedation.
You can find out more about equine shockwave therapy here.
Osphos is a bisphosphonate drug which reduces bone loss and regulates bone turn over. It can be very helpful in the management of osteoarthritis and navicular syndrome. Our vets can discuss this product with you.
Arthropen / Cartrophen are pentosan polysulfate. This drug reduces synovial inflammation and can used to manage general joint pain. It is generally given every week for 4 weeks via intra muscular injection. It can be very effective for older horses who have no overt lameness, but are a little stiff and would benefit from some anti-inflammatory action. It can be used in competition horses.
Avonvale Equine Vet Practice is an independent equine vet practice based in Upton, near Banbury. We cover a wide area, including the West Midlands and the Cotswolds. Our experienced and dedicated equine vets work with all types of horse, pony, donkey and mule. Our equine vets take a holistic and individualised approach, working together to diagnise and treat a range of conditions. We offer a range of treatments and therapies, which can be carried out at your yard or at our partner facility. We also offer 24/7 emergency call-outs covered by our own in-house equine vets, as well as routine care. Register your horse with us today.
