Evidence-based treatment of tendon injury
20 Nov 2025
RVC Equine Theatre 2
Medicine
,
Orthopaedics
,
Sports Medicine
Tendon injuries, particularly of the superficial digital flexor tendon, remain a major challenge in equine athletes due to high re-injury rates and limited regenerative capacity. Evidence supports a staged approach - controlling inflammation acutely, promoting organised repair with biologics such as PRP and MSCs during the subacute phase, and carefully remodelling in the chronic stage, guided by imaging. Despite advances, robust clinical trials are needed, and personalised rehabilitation remains key to improving outcomes.
- By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
- Describe the pathophysiology of tendon healing in horses, distinguishing between extrathecal and intrathecal tendons.
- Apply a stage-based approach to managing overstrain injuries, including evidence-based use of physical therapies, pharmacological agents, and controlled exercise.
- Evaluate the role and current evidence for biologic therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in improving tendon healing and reducing re-injury rates.
- Discuss the management of intrathecal lesions and external tendon trauma, including surgical and conservative strategies.
- Integrate diagnostic imaging modalities such as ultrasound, Doppler, and ultrasound tissue characterisation into rehabilitation monitoring and decision-making.
- Identify emerging therapies and future research priorities, including exosomes, microRNAs, and molecular modulators of inflammation.
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}