Lameness

We are known for the excellence of our lameness evaluations. Our veterinarians can perform comprehensive lameness exams including a ridden exam, flexion tests and diagnostic nerve blocks to determine the affected area or areas. We also provide diagnostic imaging including digital radiography and ultrasonography. Once a diagnosis has been established we are equipped to provide the following treatments to help resolve the lameness:

Joint Injections

Steroids and hyaluronic acid are the most common treatments for joint inflammation and osteoarthritis. We can also do ultrasound-guided injections of the sacro-iliac joint, coxofemoral joint and cervical facets of the neck and radiographic-guided injections of the navicular bursas.

Pro-Stride

Pro-Stride is a particular Autologous Protein Solution (APS) that offers a new therapy for joint health in our horses. Equine athletes with chronic joint inflammation or younger horses who may be better managed with a regenerative (healing) treatment versus repetitive anti-inflammatory treatment with steroids, make excellent candidates to receive Pro-Stride. Pro-Stride is a hybrid of IRAP and PRP best qualities, allowing for optimal healing in the shortest period of time. Pro-Stride is able to be processed stall side with your horse’s own blood. Blood is processed within 20 minutes using a centrifuge (high speed spinning) which concentrates the anti-inflammatory and regenerative cells of the blood making a very potent treatment product that is administered into the effected joint or joints. Pro-Stride also has the added benefit of one injection as compared to the typical 3 series injections of IRAP, allowing your horse to return to competing as quickly as possible.

IRAP

Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein can also be used for joint inflammation and osteoarthritis. It involves taking your horse’s blood, incubating it with beads that release anti-inflammatory properties in your horse’s blood cells. A portion of the blood is then removed and can be injected back into your horse’s joint(s).

PRP

Platelet-Rich Plasma is used to treat tears within soft-tissue structures such as tendons and ligaments. Your horse’s own blood is centrifuged down to plasma and platelets and then injected back into the injured structure.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy

Blood is aspirated from the bone marrow of your horse’s sternum or pelvis and sent to a lab to culture mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can then be injected into injured soft tissue structures or inflamed joints.

Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy

This therapy uses high-intensity sound waves to stimulate blood flow and healing to injured areas of the body.

Arthramid®

Arthramid® Vet is used to treat non-infectious causes of joint lameness in animals, including both early and late stages of osteoarthritis (OA). It creates a sort of scaffold, Integrating into the joint tissue, and providing shock absorption to the joint.

A2M

A2M (alpha 2 macroglobulin) is a protein found naturally in the horse’s blood that acts to inhibit cartilage breakdown. A2M is used in inflamed or traumatized joints to decrease the risk of further joint deterioration by counteracting cartilage degradation. A2M injections can be performed on the farm as an outpatient procedure, and involve centrifuging blood down to a concentrated serum which can then be injected as needed, and frozen for up to 12 months.