Platelet Rich Plasma is Safe for Intra-Articular and Peri-Articular
Cervical and Cervicothoracic Facet Joint Injections in the Horse
Abstract
Background: No safety study has been conducted regarding PRP
usage in cervical facet joints Objectives: To determine whether
intra- and/or peri-articular injections of PRP in cervical facet joints
in the horse is safe. Study design: Prospective, multi-centre,
safety study Methods: PRP was injected via ultrasound guidance
into the cervical and/or cervicothoracic facet joints in horses with
diagnosed cervical complaints. Data recorded for each case included:
breed, sex, age, primary reason for treatment, list of which facet
joints were injected, the volume of PRP injected, whether the PRP was
injected intra-articular or peri-articular, gauge of needle used. Data
was collected at three time points: prior to treatment, 48 hours after
treatment and a minimum of 30 days after treatment. At each time point,
owners/trainers were asked to assess the level of pain the horse was
suffering on a 0-10 (no pain to worst) scale. At the final evaluation
the owners/trainers were also asked if the treatment met their
expectations on a 0-5 scale. Results: No adverse events were
reported. The average pain scores prior to treatment, at 48 hours, and
at 30 days were 3.8, 3.4 and 1.1 respectively (see Figure 2). At no
point did any horse have an increase in their reported pain level.
Main limitations: Since PRP is not classified as a drug it does
not come with a label indicating items such as dosage or route of
administration. Thus, methodologies will vary amongst veterinarians.
Conclusions: PRP appears to be safe for cervical and/or
cervicothoracic facet joint injections in the horse. Evidence for
efficacy was also recorded by means of owner/trainer reporting that the
injections overwhelmingly met their expectations.