Orthobiologics* appear to be key tools in improving equine health and welfare, writes Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, summarizing a presentation at the September Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners Convention. All orthobiologics use the body’s natural physiologic processes to reduce inflammation and facilitate the repair of injured tissues.
Oke shares key concepts surrounding the various orthobiologics available to veterinary practitioners as presented by Duncan Peters, DVM, Dipl. ACVSMR, Cert. ISELP, including:
- Stem cells
- Platelet-rich plasma; known as PRP
- Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein; known as IRAP
- Autologous conditioned protein/serum; known as ACP/ACS
- Alpha-two macroglobulin
- Amnion
Source: The Horse, November 8, 2022. Link.
. . . we need to figure out exactly what is going on when we use these, and we need to determine if these are going to work the same way in an arthritic joint as one with synovitis … or a tendon and a ligament. More refined research is needed.” – Duncan Peters, DVM, Dipl. ACVSMR, Cert. ISELP
*Definitions:
- Orthobiologics is a part of regenerative medicine, which uses natural substances, or biologics, from one’s own body as an attempt to treat musculoskeletal injuries, tendon injuries, muscle injuries, and osteoarthritis.
- Regenerative medicine is an area of medicine that utilizes cells to treat, repair, or regrow organ tissues.
OPINION: I often wonder if we are holding regenerative medicine to a pharmaceutical standard that downplays the differences between individual horses, their injuries and their environments. Maybe 75 percent instead of 85 percent is a good efficacy score. After all, we qualify vaccines as “for the vaccination of healthy animals . . .”
Question? Should orthobiologics be positioned “for activating regenerative potential when treating equine injuries in individual horses determined to be a likely candidate for regenerative improvement by a certified veterinarian?”