Lameness in horses is a common occurrence, and with the exception of cases of colic, nothing demoralizes a horse owner more than discovering that a horse is lame and needs treatment before both owner and horse can get on with their lives.
Updated lameness treatments for horses
Researchers have worked diligently to develop therapies including shockwave therapy, platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate and use of stem cells to heal lameness in horses.
Lameness is often caused by strains and sprains from over use or excessive use of the affected muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joint structures. In the case of muscle strain, the muscle fibers are stretched and torn. Injuries severe enough to cause muscle strain often strain ligaments and tendons as well.
Because of the challenges with healing tendon and ligament injuries, researchers and veterinarians have worked diligently to develop therapies such as shockwave therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and use of stem cells to heal lameness in horses.
None of these are magic cures, nor can they replace a proper rehabilitation program, but they can potentially accelerate the healing process. More importantly, these treatments may promote better-quality healing and therefore provide the best prognosis for long-term soundness.