Tendon injuries in any species have a tough time healing. The repair tissue is more like a scar than regular tendon — it’s less elastic and weaker, making it susceptible to re-injury. Some tendon injuries are also at risk of mineralization and adhesion — that is, hardening and sticking — decreasing the tendon’s range of motion.
Stem cells are being examined for potential use in treating tendon injuries in horses. Stem cells reproduce well, can develop into many types of specialized cells and stimulate the production of healing molecules. What’s more, local injection of stem cells could replace invasive repairs.
Who knows? If stem cells help heal equine tendon injuries, they may help in other species, too — including humans.