Hansen SH, Bramlage LR, Moore GE. Racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses with suspensory ligament branch desmitis treated with mesenchymal stem cells (2010-2019).
Equine Vet J 2024;
56:503-513. [PMID:
37534804 DOI:
10.1111/evj.13980]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Suspensory ligament branch desmitis (SLBD) is a common injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Orthobiologic treatment of these injuries is a relatively new approach, and there is limited information available on post injury racing performance in racehorses treated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
OBJECTIVES
To assess racing performance post injury in Thoroughbred racehorses with SLBD treated with MSCs.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective case series.
METHODS
Medical records of racehorses with SLBD treated with MSCs from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed. All horses were treated with allogeneic stem cells injected locally at the time of diagnosis and subsequently received 3-4 treatments with autologous bone-marrow derived MSCs. Ultrasonographic and radiographic images were evaluated to determine the degree of suspensory branch injury and sesamoiditis of the associated proximal sesamoid bone. Race performance was assessed by career length, class of races, number of starts and earnings post injury. Race performance of horses that raced pre and post injury were compared.
RESULTS
Of 69 treated horses, 71% (49/69) [95% CI: 59%-81%] raced post injury. Horses that had raced pre injury were more likely to race post injury (90% [18/20]) than horses that did not race pre injury (63% [31/49]; p = 0.03). Females were less likely to race post injury than males (52% [11/21] vs. 79% [38/49], respectively; p = 0.02). In the 18 horses that raced pre and post injury, the number of races, earnings and earnings per start were not significantly different pre and post injury. The average career length of all horses that raced post injury was 29.5 months.
MAIN LIMITATIONS
Retrospective study design and lack of controls.
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with MSCs resulted in a majority of Thoroughbred racehorses with SLBD racing post treatment. Racing pre injury and being male was positively associated with racing post injury.
Collapse