Experiences with PRP and tendon injuries?

[bambam]

Basically the title says it :) I am wondering whether folks have used PRP for tendon injuries and what the results were. I am trying to decide whether PRP, IRAP or A-cell are worth trying for a DDF tear (not all 3 obviously, just running through the alternatives- anything I do will be in addition to shockwave).
TIA

[TSHEventing]

I have a suspensory issue on right hind, small tear. Vet recommended PRP over stem cell for this particular one stating that while there have been more studies on Stem cell, in his life he has seen almost identical results and it is 1/3 the cost.

[Pat Ness]

PRP on two different horses and I would do it again. Excellent results for both.

[Lori B]

What does PRP cost, ballpark?

[Equus_girl]

Where exactly is the injury? I was told anything in the hoof is not worth doing stem cell as vets do not see where the needle goes (you cannot ultrasound.) I think PRP should be fine because they do not need to be very specific about the spot where it goes.
For the same reason we only did shock wave and IRAP. Its been 6 months since therapy and my boy looks pretty sound. Will wait another 2-3 and do another MRI to see whats happening.

[cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony]

I did AXP, on my horse with a CT guided injection into the DDFT. In AXP they asparate bone marrow and then spin it down in a special centrifuge leaving some stem cells and growth factors. The vet suggested this over PRP I think cause its the NEW thing and they want to see if it works better than PRP. This was 8 weeks ago, so its hard to say if it has worked yet. The injection is like $900, and then the CT and general anesthesia and all that is like $1500, but over all came to be about $3000 with everything. Thank god for student loans!

[bambam]

Where exactly is the injury?
High on the DDF right near the check ligament and just below the back of the knee.
Thanks for the input so far. One of the reasons I am particularly interested in PRP is that the research I saw indicates that it has has good results with tendon tears and lowering reoccurance rates and IRAP, while it has been used for tendons, seems to have primarily been researched in connection with joints and arthritis rather than tendon/ligament injuries.
Please keep it coming.

[horsepoor]

I have used PRP for a horse with a 2nd-time high suspensory injury (front leg) and another horse with an injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon (so a bowed tendon) -- both with good results. The cost is about $700 as I recall, just for the PRP treatment, not including the diagnostics and follow-up. The horse with the suspensory injury was treated about 9 or 10 months ago and had an MRI just recently for another issue and the suspensory showed very little evidence of its previous injury -- so I think the PRP really worked wonders on that one (it was not healing with just shockwave, which is why we went with the PRP).

[Dirty Little Secret]

I was under the impression that IRAP is more for joint issues and PRP is for soft tissue. My insurance has a $1200 limit for PRP but I'm still researching which is the best option for my gelding (Stem cells or PRP). He has a tear in his superficial digital flexor tendon. I've heard great results with both treatments though.

[wildride]

I had a horse injure his Superficial tendon, mid left front. Did shockwave - 3 treatments the first time, great results. Brought the horse back, competed at upper levels, and ended up struggling with hock and more tendon issues.
We ended up doing PRP in the hind suspensories and the tendon. I honestly think shockwave did more for the horse then the PRP. But it is affordable and was a good compliment to the shockwave.
Good luck!

[TSHEventing]

I've heard the opposite, especially from my vet. Shockwave is a good compliment, but for the price, PRP can't be beat (for specific injuries... others they say Stem Cells are much better)

[RioTex]

I had a DDFT diagnosis yesterday. Trying to research all the options. My heas is still spinning, it's been a heck of a week, but stem cell was the treatment of choice. Bone marrow and splitting were discussed. Shockwave was not mentioned and I am not sure where PRP falls in all of this. Injury is midway down the front leg.

[Equus_girl]

I had a DDFT diagnosis yesterday. Trying to research all the options. My heas is still spinning, it's been a heck of a week, but stem cell was the treatment of choice. Bone marrow and splitting were discussed. Shockwave was not mentioned and I am not sure where PRP falls in all of this. Injury is midway down the front leg.
RioTex,
take a deep breath, it is not the end of the world and both you and your horse will come through it!
I would do stem cell (or PRP) and shockwave, do not forget about several daily handwalking sessions, as tendons need to work in order to heal.
Make sure your farrier is VERY involved in treatment, as you need to take pressure of tendon, usually they will raise heel just a bit.

[Tanyanoel]

I am watching this thread intently, we are doing PRP to my gelding Monday. He has a small hole in his right front suspensory and the vet highly recommended PRP, so I am also at the beginning of this long adventure.

[horsepoor]

I had a DDFT diagnosis yesterday. Trying to research all the options. My heas is still spinning, it's been a heck of a week, but stem cell was the treatment of choice. Bone marrow and splitting were discussed. Shockwave was not mentioned and I am not sure where PRP falls in all of this. Injury is midway down the front leg.

Unless insurance is paying the bill, find out about the costs when you compare treatments. For a recent collateral ligament injury, I was given estimates of $3K for stem cell vs. $700 for platelets and "a couple hundred bucks" to add bone marrow to the PRP. I have insurance and that often takes the financial aspect out of the decision making, but if you are paying the bills yourself, best to have those numbers when weighing options!

[RioTex]

RioTex,
take a deep breath, it is not the end of the world and both you and your horse will come through it!
Thanks. I wish this was all I had to deal with. It's been a BAD six months for the horses. Not to mention job and life. ;) I was quoted $2-3K for the stem cells by the more conservative vet who was hesitant to recommend it. I've also got medial branch suspensory and fetlock joint involvement. We are trying to bring the ankle down before we address the tendon. Back in two weeks to see what it looks like then. Our guess is that most of the lameness is coming from the hot ankle.

I've got time and room for him to sit as long as it takes. If money were no object, that would be one thing, but sadly, that's not the case.

[EquineLVR]

Would you do the PRP for just a strain if nothing was actually torn?

[marta]

for a suspensory injury which appears to have plateaued in its healing. actually it's the point of insertion that's not healing. everything else filled in nicely. vet things this may kick start the healing process. but we are giving it some more time. i'm planning on doing it in october if there is no improvement in the next few months. she's sound going straight but on the circles you can see that she's placing that leg more gingerly.

[Dirty Little Secret]

As of yesterday it's been about a month and a half since my horse tore his SDFT in 2 places. My vet referred me to Tryon Equine Hospital for consultation. Dr. Bill Haye recommended stem cell therapy in combination with shockwave treatment. Yesterday we ultrasounded for the first time since the stem cells went in and there is nearly 95% proliferation of the tear. My horse is sound ready to start back to some trot work. They have been absolutely fabulous to work with and I cannot recommend them highly enough. We go back in 6 more weeks for another ultrasound and possibly add canter work and turnout.