Front Matter

418 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

The results of this study showed that intradis‑
cal injection of autologous MSCs was well tol‑
erated without side effects, but did not have
clear regenerative benefits as evaluated by way
of disc height and disc volumetric measure‑
ments. In addition, this treatment did not result
in a different clinical score compared with con‑
trols. Moreover, on the basis of Pfirrmann scor‑
ing, disc degeneration progressed more in the
MSC group, suggesting that the injection proce‑
dure itself can enhance degenerative mecha‑
nisms within the IVD.

Taken together, these results highlight the

potential of cell‐based strategies to regenerate

IVDs. However, further efforts are needed to

translate in vitro and experimental research into

clinical practice. An interdisciplinary approach

including expertise from biology, tissue engi‑

neering, biomechanics, and surgery is required.

Currently, methods including micro‐carriers

and growth factors to enhance regenerative

effects of MSC are being evaluated in clinical

canine studies to pave the way to future clinical

applications of these procedures.

Case Study 16.2 Sprain of medial carpal collateral ligament

Signalment: 6‐y.o. M/I mixed breed (Border Collie

and German Shepherd); 35 kg.

History: Patient first presented April 2015 for right

thoracic limb lameness that began 6 months before

presentation. The onset of lameness was not asso-

ciated with a specific event such as trauma, although

patient often played Frisbee with client. Patient

was  very active, typically walking several hours

every day with client. At the time of first evaluation

patient was too aggressive for a complete orthopedic

examination and diagnosis could not be obtained.

Patient received Rimadyl® for 10 days and a recom-

mendation of leash walks and rest for 6 weeks.

Patient presented 18 months after initial onset of

clinical signs because of progressive worsening of

lameness.

Clinical examination: Patient showed a 2/4 right

thoracic lameness, worse at trot. Patient reacted at

flexion and extension of the elbow (mild pain), but

showed more severe pain on pin‐point palpation

over the medial humeral epicondyle.

Imaging: A CT scan of both elbows was unremarkable.

MRI of the right carpus was performed to evaluate

soft tissue structures (Figures 16.9 and 16.10). Imaging

diagnosis was strain of the medial carpal collateral

ligament.

Comments: Carpal injuries are common in active

dogs. In this case, the ligament sprain diagnosed with

MRI was treated with an intralesional injection of

autologous conditioned plasma and an orthosis for

3  months. It is important to emphasize that earlier

and more accurate diagnosis of desmitis may offer

more potential for healing. Chronic tendinitis and

desmitis are therapeutic challenges because of the

limited healing capacity of the tendon. In contrast,

acute desmitis and tendinitis may be treated with

early modification of the exercise regimen and use of

orthobiologics with greater potential for healing and

return to normal activity.

lateral medial

Figure 16.9 T1 turbo spin echo sequence in a dorsal

orientation after i.v. injection of gadolinium of a

carpal MRI examination. Mild soft tissue swelling

(red arrowheads). undergoing contrast enhancement is

noted in the area of the straight part of the medial carpal

collateral ligament that is separated from the oblique

part by the tendon of the abductor pollicis longus

muscle. Fibers of both parts of the medial collateral

ligament are maintained but their organization is

reduced and they show contrast enhancement.