Equine Musculoskeletal Pathologies: Clinical Approaches and Therapeutical Perspectives-A Review

Area of Science:

• Equine Sports Medicine
• Veterinary Orthopedics
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Musculoskeletal injuries (osteoarthritis, tendonitis, etc.) are common in sport horses, impacting their athletic careers.
• Advances in equine medicine offer diverse therapeutic options, but staying updated is challenging.
• A comprehensive review is needed to guide treatment selection for optimal patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize current therapeutic strategies for equine musculoskeletal injuries.
• To evaluate the benefits, limitations, and synergistic potential of various treatment modalities.
• To highlight promising regenerative therapies for enhanced tissue healing and recovery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of commonly used and recent treatments for equine musculoskeletal conditions.
• Analysis of conservative therapies (NSAIDs, hyaluronic acid, etc.) and advanced regenerative techniques.
• Scrutiny of therapeutic modalities for efficacy, drawbacks, and combined application potential.

Main Results:

• A wide spectrum of treatments exists, from physiotherapy and pharmaceuticals to regenerative medicine.
• Stem cell-based therapies show significant promise for equine musculoskeletal injury repair.
• Individual treatment efficacy varies, and a multidisciplinary approach is often most effective.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of equine musculoskeletal injuries requires a thorough understanding of available treatments.
• Regenerative therapies, particularly stem cells, offer new avenues for healing.
• Integrating diverse therapeutic modalities in a tailored, multidisciplinary plan is crucial for successful patient recovery and return to sport.