An Achilles stem cell treatment that has been used on thoroughbred racehorses is now being evaluated for humans.
Stem cells have long been used in the treatment of Achilles injuries in racehorses. Treatments were made famous in 2008 when champion horse, Dream Alliance was treated following a devastating injury. The horse returned to the race circuit in 2009 and won a national title.
Does Stem Cell Treatment on Horses Translate to Humans
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London has studied the results from 1,500 treatments on horses. Their initial finding was that re-injury rate was 50% lower than that of horses not receiving the treatment.
“Tendon injuries in horses are identical to those in humans, and using this evidence we were able to persuade the regulators to allow us to launch a small safety study in humans.” – Surgeon Andy Goldberg, University College London
Achilles Treatments are a Long Road
Traditional treatments for people that experience Achilles damage can take people down a rather long and difficult road. Even a minor tear can result in tremendous pain and require a lengthy period of time to heal.
Rest and ice are the typical prescriptions with some level of physical therapy helping people with minor injuries. Regardless, patients typically report several years of pain following their injury.
The National Health Service in England is preparing to conduct a clinical trial. This study will use a patient’s own stem cells and inject them into the damaged tissue.
This research is funded by the UK Stem Cell Foundation.
