Our study is the first to use genipin, a naturally occurring collagen cross-linking agent, as a therapeutic agent to treat superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries in horses. The promising approach of intratendinous genipin injection and tendon mechanical enhancement could be a viable alternative to current therapies for SDFT injuries.
Tendon injuries are a career limiting or ending condition in horses. Genipin (GP), an exogenous collagen crosslinker, provides ex-vivo tendon mechanical augmentation and excellent biosafety. The main objective of this study is to investigate treatment success of GP-induced collagen crosslinking in a clinical application in horses with superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries. Horses with an AAEP (American Association of American Practitioners) lameness score \> 0 and sonographically confirmed tendinopathy are treated with intratendinous GP injection (IGI) and controlled exercise. Minimal follow-up was set at 12 months. Outcome factors are lameness (AAEP lameness score), soundness, assessment of return to previous use, and re-injury. Additionally, adverse effects are recorded.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
74
Intratendinous genipin injection
Equine surgery, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
Recovery from tendon injury
The amount of horses that regain AAEP lameness grade 0 (sound; free of lameness) after superficial digital flexor tendon injury
Time frame: 12 months
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