The Horse (June 19) – Invasive techniques such as surgery and biologics injections (e.g., stem cell, platelet-rich plasma [PRP] treatments) can promote adequate healing. But so can well-planned periods of rest following science-based recommendations—because certain body tissues heal very well on their own, says Santiago Gutierrez-Nibeyro, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, an equine surgeon at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in Urbana.
“The body has an arsenal of stem cells and other cells ready to just jump in and replace torn tendons, stretched ligaments, broken bones, and more,” he says. “Time off is us letting the body do its job.”