This innovative treatment has been carried out at Three Counties Equine Hospital since 2004 to assist in the healing of tendon injuries in horses. Stem cell technology is used to treat tendon and suspensory ligament injuries of the lower limb. Stem cells are the body’s immature cells that can develop into any type of cell to assist in the healing process of damaged tissue. The stem cells are harvested from the horse in question’s bone marrow. The bone marrow tissue is sent to a specialist laboratory where the stem cells are selected and multiplied. These are then returned to the Vet who injects them into the site of tendon injury where the stem cells then develop into tendon cells to heal the injury with the correct type of tissue as opposed to scar tissue. The horse will still also need the appropriate rest and rehabilitation for that type of injury. |
