Stem Cells for Navicular

Traditional stem cell treatments contain living cells, which can be laborious (expensive) to prepare and can have negative side effects when injected into synovial structures like the navicular bursa.

This laboratory experiment, conducted by Ohio State University researchers, examined the anti-inflammatory and protective potential of extracellular vesicles (EV) produced by cultured stem cells as a treatment for injury and degenerative changes of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and palmar navicular bone fibrocartilage (NBF).

EV, like microscopic membrane-bound packets of beneficial enzymes, growth factors and anti-inflammatory substances, were harvested from cultured mesenchymal stem cells from a donor horse’s bone marrow. The EVs were then added to DDFT and NBF cell cultures grown and maintained in the laboratory. The anti-inflammatory and cartilage protective effects were then evaluated in the cell cultures by measuring the cultured cells’ degradative enzyme activity and products.

The EV demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, as well as anabolic effects on cartilage that would promote healing, improve the microscopic structure of healed tissues and potentially help return horses to athletic performance. More work is needed before EVs are ready as an off-the-shelf treatment for damaged DDFT and NBF, but this work suggests EVs may be a promising new treatment for navicular disease.

— Quam VG et al. EVJ 2025;57:232-242

Check Ligament Surgery in Warmbloods

Surgeons in Germany reported the outcomes of a series of cases of superficial digital flexor tendinopathy (SDF bowed tendons) treated by cutting the accessory ligament of the SDF (superior or proximal check…