title: Gastrocnemius tendon strain in a dog treated with autologous mesenchymal stem cells and a custom orthosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report clinical findings and outcome in a dog with gastrocnemius tendon strain treated with autologous mesenchymal stem cells and a custom orthosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical report.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 4-year-old spayed female Border Collie.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bone-marrow derived, autologous mesenchymal stem cells were transplanted into the tendon core lesion. A custom, progressive, dynamic orthosis was fit to the tarsus. Serial orthopedic examinations and ultrasonography as well as long-term force-plate gait analysis were utilized for follow up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lameness subjectively resolved and peak vertical force increased from 43% to 92% of the contralateral pelvic limb. Serial ultrasonographic examinations revealed improved but incomplete restoration of normal linear fiber pattern of the gastrocnemius tendon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that autologous mesenchymal stem cell transplantation with custom, progressive, dynamic orthosis may be a viable, minimally invasive technique for treatment of calcaneal tendon injuries in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 32610, USA. caseb@ufl.edu
authors.forename: J Brad
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valdes-Martinez
authors.forename: Erick L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Egger
authors.forename: Kevin K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Haussler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000662:veterinary*; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000662:veterinary*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*