Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronic acid effects on dog leg recovery
By Volz, F et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2024·Clinic for Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effect of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronic acid on limb function recovery in dogs with TPLO for cranial cruciate ligament rupture: a randomised controlled trial.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 62 dogs with a torn cranial cruciate ligament underwent surgery to repair the injury and were given either a special injection of platelet-rich plasma, hyaluronic acid, or no injection at all. After the surgery, all dogs showed significant improvement in their ability to use their legs, regardless of whether they received the injections. The study found that the injections did not help the dogs recover any faster than those who did not receive them. Overall, the surgery itself was effective, and the injections were not necessary for better recovery.
People also search for: dog knee surgery recovery · cranial cruciate ligament tear treatment · platelet-rich plasma for dogs · hyaluronic acid injection for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the recovery of limb function following a single intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronic acid in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture treated with tibial plateau levelling osteotomy compared to dogs receiving no injection intraoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture, body weights of 20 to 40 kg, and no other orthopaedic conditions were enrolled in this prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled study at the small animal clinic at LMU Munich. All dogs underwent tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. Based on random allocation, they received either a single intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma, hyaluronic acid or no injection intraoperatively. Gait analysis, clinical examinations, radiography of the stifle joint for osteoarthritis progression and two validated owner questionnaires were compared among groups at three timepoints postoperatively (6 weeks, 3 and 6 months). Limb function was primarily assessed by measuring the ground reaction forces. RESULTS: At all times postoperatively, no differences were observed among groups regarding clinical examinations, osteoarthritis score values, ground reaction forces or owner questionnaires. All dogs showed significant improvement in limb function clinically, in all ground reaction forces and in the validated questionnaires. Osteoarthritis progressed minimally during rechecks in all dogs regardless of the additional injection or not. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: All dogs treated with tibial plateau levelling osteotomy for cranial cruciate ligament rupture showed improvements in limb function. No additive effect on faster recovery was demonstrated with the additional intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronic acid. Addition of platelet-rich plasma/hyaluronic acid injections during tibial plateau levelling osteotomy is unnecessary considering the lack of benefit observed up to 6 months postoperatively.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38339913/