Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis: A Study with Retired Working Dogs

Abstract

Traditionally, canine degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLS) has been defined as a multifactorial syndrome characterized by lumbosacral pain triggered by the compression of the nerve rootlets of the cauda equina. There is still no consensus on the treatment of this condition, probably because there are a plethora of possible causes. In addition to compression, inflammation is a very important factor in the physiopathology of the disorder. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) consists of an increased concentration of autologous platelets suspended in a small amount of plasma. Platelets are a source of several growth factors. Growth factors were shown to help in wound healing and biological processes, such as chemotaxis, neovascularization and synthesis of extracellular matrix, and growth factors were used to improve soft tissue healing and bone regeneration. PRP also facilitates the restoration of the structural integrity of the affected anatomy. Fourteen dogs diagnosed with DLS were treated with three epidural injections of PRP on days 0, 15 and 45. All dogs showed clinical improvement 3 months after the initial treatment. Gait was also objectively assessed by means of the use of force platform analysis before and after treatment, showing significant improvement. The results show that PRP may provide a good alternative to other nonsurgical treatments, such as prednisolone epidural injection.

Platelet Lysate for Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Culture in the Canine and Equine Species: Analogous but Not the Same

“…Among the orthobiologic blood products, particularly platelet products are already frequently used in clinical practice. In canine medicine, PRP or platelet concentrates have been used to treat several conditions, including osteoarthritis [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], lumbosacral stenosis [ 21 ], wounds [ 22 , 23 ], corneal ulcera [ 24 ], and aural hematoma [ 25 ]. While clinical benefits were shown, a major disadvantage of platelet concentrate is its limited long-term storage, as it cannot be frozen [ 26 ].…”

Owner assessed outcomes following elbow arthroscopy with or without platelet rich plasma for fragmented medial coronoid process

“…In veterinary medicine, platelet-rich plasma has been used and reported as a treatment option for a variety of disease processes with favorable outcomes and no major complications ( 11 – 19 ). Platelet-rich plasma has been described as a treatment for supraspinatus tendinopathy ( 11 ), early partial cranial cruciate ligament tears ( 12 ), bilateral hip osteoarthritis ( 13 ), large cutaneous wounds ( 14 ), aural hematomas ( 15 ), lumbosacral stenosis ( 16 ), stifle osteoarthritis secondary to medically managed chronic cranial cruciate ligament tears ( 17 ), and for bone healing in traumatic fractures ( 18 ) and also high-tibial osteotomy ( 19 ). In these cases, all had favorable outcomes, except for use in high-tibial osteotomies in which there was no significant difference between control and experimental groups.…”