PRP:

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treats tendon and ligament injuries through the injection of a specialized plasma into damaged tendons or ligaments. In PRP, the horse's own blood is drawn and run through a centrifuge to distill a plasma that has five times more platelets than the regular blood. Platelets contain growth factors, which are the proteins that stimulate cells in the tendon or ligament to start the healing process. When PRP is injected into an injured tendon or ligament, the cells in the tissue are stimulated to bring new cells to the injury, encouraging and expediting the natural repair of the tendon or ligament. PRP treatment has been shown particularly helpful in cases where the healing process has stalled. This treatment helps assure that the horse's injury is completely healed and that the risk of reinjury is lessened. It may also help provide an alternative to surgery.