A Revolutionary Treatment for OCD in Horses

TERG in RCSI. In addition scientists with the Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research AMBER Centre also contributed. AMBER brings together Irelands materials science researchers working across the disciplines of physics chemistry bioengineering and medicine and they work with an international network of collaborators and companies.
The scaffold was fabricated using a patented iterative freezedrying process and consisted of three seamlessly integrated layers that replicated the cartilage calcified cartilage and bone tissue within the joint.
Each individual layer has a composition just like the natural tissue with the pore and fibre structure modelled along the lines of the zones within the cartilage and bone. In the bigger picture and especially from a human perspective the procedure offers options for early intervention by orthopaedic surgeons in the treatment of damaged cartilage and may offer options to delay the need for full joint replacement.
Recovery following OCD surgeries typically requires a period of stall rest followed by gentle progressive exercise. It may be several months before a horse can return to training. Bandaging and medication including antiinflammatory drugs will also likely be required. Suture removal and followup examinations will monitor the progression of recovery and each horse will have a program of care according to the extent of the surgery and veterinary guidance. The encouraging news is that the prognosis for future athletic performance is often good to excellent after OCD surgery depending on the surgical location. In general though without surgery future soundness will always be in doubt.
Beyoncé recovered well following her surgery. Exploratory arthroscopy five months after surgery showed smooth cartilage tissue covering the defect. The filly returned to training and at the 22month followup she continued to be sound with no sign of lameness and was exercising at the desired level. The ridges were smooth and the defects were filled with bone and covered with cartilage. 
Levingstone says that it has now been five years since the surgery was done and the mare remains healthy sound and continues her training program at the intended level. The young mare has returned to competitive show jumping much to the relief of her owners.
Levingstone says that the technology used on Beyoncé offers enormous potential. The technology has been licensed to SurgaColl Technologies Ltd. a spinout company from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland focused on translating technologies from Prof. OBriens lab to the clinic. It is being commercialized under the tradename ChondroColl. SurgaColl is currently