Regenerative Joint Treatments

The latest in regenerative medicine!

North Bridge Equine is excited to introduce the latest in regenerative medicine that can be done right at the farm as a safe, drug-free treatment option for arthritis and joint inflammation. NBEA has two different therapies that we offer:

Pro-Stride™:

The product is called Pro-Stride™ and is one of the most advanced regenerative medicine options available to the ambulatory equine vet. Pro-Stride (Autologous conditioned plasma) is made from your horse’s own blood that is processed in a 2 step system that produces a super concentrated solution of anti-inflammatory and healing factors. This super charged solution is then injected directly into the affected joint. This can all be done in one visit, at the farm, and in less than 30 minutes. Studies of Pro-Stride done at The Ohio State University have shown pain relief for up to one year with only one treatment. 

Pro-Stride is a great option for:

• Young performance horses with inflamed or sore joints. Pro-Stride will help protect the joints from future arthritis without the use of steroids
• Older horses that may be high risk due to metabolic diseases (such as Cushing’s or Equine Metabolic Syndrome). Pro-Stride is made from the horse’s own blood so there are no systemic effects as can be seen with steroids.
• Actively competing horses as there is no withdrawal time for USEF and FEI competition.

Pro-Stride offers a safe, convenient, drug-free alternative to traditional steroid joint injections to treat arthritis and joint pain in the equine Athlete. Ask us if Pro-Stride would be a good option for your horse.

Here is an article about how Pro-Stride helped a World Champion Show Horse. 

Alpha2 Macroglobulin:

Alpha2 Macroglobulin is a potent anti-inflammatory molecule which is derived from the horse's own blood. The horse's blood is drawn, spun down, and filtered to create a product which contains high concentrations of the Alpha2 Macroglobulin molecule. This can then be used to medicate joints, tendons, ligaments, and other areas. Once produced, Alpha2 Macroglobulin can be frozen and saved for up to one year from the date of the blood draw, for use at various points throughout the year.

The Alpha2 Macroglobulin molecule is a large protein which is made primarily in the liver, with small amounts being made by the joint capsules as well. This molecule works to address joint disease and inflammation in three main ways: as an anti-protease, by modulating cytokines and growth factors, and by regulating gene expression. When working as an anti-protease, Alpha2 Macroglobulin binds and 'captures' harmful enzymes within the joint, cleaves them in to smaller pieces, and releases them to be removed from the joint by white blood cells. Alpha2 Macroglobulin uses a similar mechanism to 'capture' and remove harmful cytokines and growth factors, which reduces inflammation in the nearby areas. Alpha2 Macroglobulin has been demonstrated to regulate gene expression as well, and decreases factors which break down cartilage. By decreasing these factors, Alpha2 Macroglobulin has a direct cartilage protective effect.

Alpha2 Macroglobulin has no known negative systemic effects when used as an intra-articular treatment. It is an excellent choice for horses which cannot have steroids, such as horses with Insulin Dysregulation or Cushing's Disease, or horses requiring multiple joints to be treated at one time. Alpha2 Macroglobulin can be used repetitively in the same joint with no negative side effects to the cartilage or joint capsule as well.