Long-Term Effect of Intra-Articular Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction and Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dogs with Elbow Joint Disease-A Pilot Study

Elbow osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of pain and lameness in dogs, often resulting from the developmental disorder elbow dysplasia. Currently, there is no effective treatment or cure for this disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of treating dogs with OA with stem cells (SVF, stromal vascular fraction) and blood plasma rich in platelets (PRP) derived from the dog's own fat and blood, respectively. The mixture was administered as a single injection into affected elbows. Nineteen dogs with elbow OA were treated with SVF and PRP. Subjective and objective evaluations were performed before treatment, after six months, and after a minimum of one year. A "Symmetry Squares" graphic presentation of objective gait forces (peak force and impulse) was also used to compare changes in gait over time. The results showed that subjective evaluation of clinical lameness was improved at the six-month follow up evaluation and that the peak force was transferred from the hind limbs to the front limbs in the treated dogs after 12 months. However, the treatment failed to show a general evident effect. Further research should be conducted to evaluate whether SVF and PRP treatment should be recommended for dogs with elbow OA. (1) Background: The aim of the current pilot study was to describe the long-term effects of a single intra-articular injection of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in dogs with confirmed elbow OA, using orthopedic lameness scoring and kinetic and kinematic gait analysis. For comparison of normal long-term variation of gait over time, a group of healthy control dogs (CDs) was also evaluated. (2) Methods: A prospective longitudinal clinical pilot study investigating 19 client-owned dogs with elbow OA (OADs) treated with SVF and PRP and eight CDs not receiving treatment. The OAD and CD groups were evaluated before and after 6 and at least 12 months following treatment with SVF and PRP (OAD group) and twice with a six-month interval (CD group), respectively, through orthopedic examinations, goniometry, and kinetic and kinematic analyses (seven variables). (3) Results: The OAD had an increase in fore-hind peak force symmetry >= 12 months after treatment (p < 0.05), but no other objective variables changed over time. Orthopedic consensus scores had improved at >= six months follow-up evaluation (p < 0.05). None of the investigated gait variables had changed at >= six months follow-up evaluation in the CD group. (4) Conclusions: The current study could not confirm a significant benefit from SVF and PRP treatment in OADs, but future studies should be conducted in order to fully evaluate the potential of the treatment. The improvement seen in fore-hindlimb symmetry may represent an improvement in gait or an incidental finding.