Prospective case series of Standardbred racehorses treated with intra-lesional ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma for suspensory ligament branch injuries

Abstract 

Standardbred racehorses are frequently diagnosed with suspensory ligament branch injuries which results in loss of earnings and morbidity. This prospective study aims to measure outcomes for suspensory ligament branch desmitis (SLBD) in Standardbred racehorses treated with intra-lesional platelet rich plasma (PRP).

All Standardbred racehorses presented at the Vets On Wheels clinic in Marsa between 01.10.2019 and 31.12.2020 with grade 2-3 SLBD diagnosed ultrasonographically were included. All core lesions were injected with PRP under ultrasound guidance following standardised blood collection and centrifugal processes. All horses underwent a standardised rehabilitation protocol. Racing data including number of starts and earning following treatment was retrieved from the Malta Racing Club database.

Twelve Standardbred racehorses were included in the study with a mean age of 9 years (range; 6 – 12).  Forelimb lesions accounted for 36% of injuries. Seven horses (58%) returned to racing, although only two (17%) started more than two races. The average time elapsed between treatment and date of first start was 200 days.

To the authors knowledge this is the first study to examine SLBD outcomes following PRP treatment in Standardbred racehorses. Older racing Standardbreds with grade 2/3 SLBD have a guarded prognosis for return to racing, as documented within racing Thoroughbred populations. Whether or not intra-lesional PRP alters the prognosis cannot be ascertained from this study.

摘要

标准种赛马（Standardbred）常被诊断出患有悬韧带分支损伤，该病会导致赛马收入损失与健康受损。本前瞻性研究旨在评估接受病灶内注射富血小板血浆（platelet rich plasma, PRP）治疗的标准种赛马的悬韧带分支腱炎（suspensory ligament branch desmitis, SLBD）预后效果。

本研究纳入2019年10月1日至2020年12月31日期间，于马尔萨的Vets On Wheels诊所就诊、经超声影像学确诊为2~3级SLBD的所有标准种赛马。所有核心病灶均按照标准化采血与离心流程制备PRP，并在超声引导下完成病灶内注射。所有受试赛马均接受标准化康复方案。从马耳他赛马会（Malta Racing Club）数据库中提取受试赛马治疗后的参赛次数与赛事收入等赛马相关数据。

本研究共纳入12匹标准种赛马，平均年龄为9岁（年龄区间：6~12岁）。前肢病灶占所有损伤的36%。共有7匹（58%）赛马恢复参赛，但其中仅2匹（17%）参赛场次超过2场。从接受治疗至首次参赛的平均间隔时长为200天。

据作者所知，本研究为首项针对标准种赛马接受PRP治疗后SLBD预后效果的相关研究。与纯种赛马种群的研究结果一致，年龄较大的参赛标准种赛马若患有2/3级SLBD，其恢复参赛的预后较为谨慎。本研究无法确定病灶内注射PRP是否会对预后产生影响。