A common injury in performance horses is ligament or tendon damage of the lower legs.  Specifically, injuries involving the suspensory ligament and superficial digital flexor tendon are a major cause of lameness and decreased performance in these horses.  These injuries can be very serious and can take a long time to heal, sometimes up to a year.  Many treatments have been used over the years to encourage healing of these tissues, including anti inflammatories, hyaluronic acid, bapten, blistering, laser therapy, tendon splitting, ultrasound therapy, and hydrotherapy.  Newer treatments have included injecting these lesions with insulin like growth factor and bone marrow cells, as well as treating them with shock wave therapy.  All of these treatments have had variable success in individual cases. 

Another new treatment has just become available for treatment of ligament and tendon injuries.  This new treatment is called UBM and is made by a company called ACell Vet.  The product is injected into the affected area of the ligament or tendon to encourage healing.  Dr. Rick Mitchell, an equine veterinarian in Connecticut, has used this product over the last 2 years and has reported some encouraging results.  Dr. Mitchell indicates the other treatments used such as icing, anti-inflammatories, hydrotherapy, and rest should not be abandoned even with the use of UBM, especially in the acute stages of the injury.  Reducing inflammation should still be considered as primary therapy in acute tendon or ligament injuries. 

UBM is injected directly into the area of tendon or ligament damage.  Dr. Mitchell indicates preliminary results are encouraging as 84% of the horses were in full work as early as 6 months after the treatment.  If your horse has a sustained a tendon or ligament injury, contact your vet about UBM treatment.