USE OF PLATELET-RICH PLASMA IN THE TREATMENT OF TENDONITIS IN EQUINES

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the treatment of tendonitis in horses through a narrative bibliographic review of the scientific literature. The methodology employed included a systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science) using specific descriptors, selecting 24 studies published between 2003 and 2023 that met the established inclusion criteria. The results demonstrated growing scientific interest in the topic, with a predominance of controlled experimental studies focusing on superficial digital flexor tendon injuries. The analysis showed significant ultrasonographic improvement in 79.2% of the studies, a reduction in the degree of lameness in 83.3% of cases, and a reduction in recovery time from 7.3 to 4.7 months compared to conventional treatments. The safety profile was favorable, with only 25% of the studies reporting mild and transient adverse effects. Re-injury rates were substantially lower in the PRP-treated groups (8.3-12.5%) compared to controls (25-33%). It is concluded that PRP represents a promising therapeutic modality for equine tendonitis, presenting superior results to conventional treatments, although the methodological heterogeneity of the protocols limits definitive conclusions about its superiority.