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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease in dogs, particularly those with hip dysplasia, leading to pain and reduced mobility. A recent study published in Animals (2020) explored the efficacy of intraarticular plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), a platelet-rich plasma derivative, alone and combined with physical therapy (PT) in dogs with OA caused by hip dysplasia. Using objective force platform analysis, the study assessed limb function improvements over 180 days, providing valuable insights for veterinarians and researchers in regenerative medicine.

Methodology Overview

The study involved 24 client-owned dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia and moderate to severe OA, confirmed via orthopedic exams and radiographs. Dogs were divided into two groups: one receiving a single intraarticular PRGF injection (PRGF group) and the other receiving PRGF plus a PT program (PRGF + PT group). The PT program included warm-ups, sit-to-stand exercises, dancing exercises, incline walking, and cool-downs, tailored to enhance joint mobility and muscle strength. Limb function was evaluated using peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) measured by a force platform at baseline (D0), 30, 90, and 180 days post-treatment. Statistical analysis employed a linear mixed-effects model to compare outcomes.

Key Results

•  Significant Improvement in Both Groups: Both PRGF and PRGF + PT groups showed significant increases in PVF and VI at 30 days compared to baseline (p ≤ 0.001), indicating improved limb function and reduced pain.

•  Sustained Efficacy with PT: The PRGF + PT group maintained significantly higher PVF and VI values at 180 days compared to the PRGF-only group (p ≤ 0.001), with PRGF alone showing a 4.4% (PVF) and 0.78% (VI) decline from 90 to 180 days.

•  No Initial Group Differences: No significant differences in PVF or VI were observed between groups at 0, 30, or 90 days (p ≥ 0.005), suggesting comparable initial efficacy.

•  Longer Effect Duration with PT: The addition of PT extended the maximum effect of PRGF beyond 180 days, unlike PRGF alone, where efficacy waned.

•  Objective Assessment: Force platform analysis provided reliable, quantifiable data, reinforcing its role as a gold standard for evaluating OA treatments.

This study touts PRGF as an effective treatment for canine hip OA, with PT (aka exercise) significantly prolonging its benefits. These findings underscore the value of combining regenerative therapies with rehabilitation to optimize outcomes in veterinary practice.

MY THOUGHTS

Well, I’m disappointed that THIS exercise protocol is what this study is passing off as ‘physical therapy’.  I also feel that the exercises chosen were extremely basic.  It would have been nice to have seen a group that was exercise only to round out the comparisons.  To me, it only makes sense that you would only see benefits in the long term with the addition of exercise.  One might say that the PRP helped to pave the way for the exercises to have a greater impact (in that they promoted strengthening of the supporting muscles)… or not – because they didn’t study that.

Reference:

Cuervo B, Rubio M, Chicharro D, Damiá E, Santana A, Carrillo JM, Romero AD, Vilar JM, Cerón JJ, Sopena JJ. Objective Comparison between Platelet Rich Plasma Alone and in Combination with Physical Therapy in Dogs with Osteoarthritis Caused by Hip Dysplasia. Animals (Basel). 2020 Jan 21;10(2):175. doi: 10.3390/ani10020175. PMID: 31972961; PMCID: PMC7070503.