title: Injection of platelet- and leukocyte-rich plasma at the junction of the proximal sesamoid bone and the suspensory ligament branch for treatment of yearling Thoroughbreds with proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and associated suspensory ligament branch desmitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of treatment with platelet- and leukocyte-rich plasma (PRP) on future 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old racing performance of yearling Thoroughbreds with proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and associated suspensory ligament branch (SLB) desmitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  39 yearling Thoroughbreds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Yearling Thoroughbreds with radiographic evidence of performance-limiting proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and ultrasonographic evidence of associated SLB desmitis were identified and randomly assigned to undergo PRP (treatment group) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control group) injection at the affected SLB-proximal sesamoid bone junction. Race records of horses for the 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old racing years were obtained. Data regarding amount of money earned and number of races started were used as outcome measures, and results for groups were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Horses treated with PRP were significantly more likely to start at least 1 race during the 2-year-old racing year than were horses treated with saline solution; no significant differences were detected between groups regarding that variable for the 3- and 4-year-old racing years. No significant differences between groups were detected regarding earnings for any racing year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although PRP-treated horses were more likely to start a race during the 2-year-old racing year versus control group horses, results for horses in each group were not significantly different for the 3- and 4-year-old racing years. Therefore, the PRP treatment protocol evaluated in this study did not seem to improve future racing performance of yearling Thoroughbreds with proximal sesamoid bone inflammation and associated SLB desmitis, compared with injection of saline solution.
authors.affiliation: Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40580, USA. kgarrett@roodandriddle.com
authors.forename: Katherine S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: Lawrence R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Bramlage
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Spike-Pierce
authors.forename: Noah D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005529:Foot Bones; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D006736:Horses; D007249:Inflammation / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007962:Leukocytes; D008022:Ligaments; D008297:Male; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D012420:Running; D013177:Sports