Frequently Asked Questions

Stem cells are cells that are undifferentiated and can renew
themselves. They are found in the embryo and in many tissues of adult
individuals. In adult individuals, there are stem cells in, for example,
fat, muscle, bone marrow and skin tissue.

Adult stem cells are multipotent: for example, cells isolated from
fat and bone marrow can differentiate for example cartilage and bone
cells.

In the TendoStem® treatment, stem cells are taken from the horse's own fat tissue. The fat tissue contains significant amount of stem cells, approximately 500 times the amount in the bone marrow, for example. Fat sampling is easy, fast and safe procedure. Additionally stem cells from fat can be multiplied easier and faster than from bone marrow.   

Natural healing process occurs through scar tissue formation.  Scar tissue is strong, but stiff and inflexible and cannot withstand stress the way a normal tendon can. Consequently, it can be easily damaged again. 

In TendoStem® treatment, stem cells grown from the horse's own fat tissue differentiate into normal tendon or ligament tissue that is flexible and durable with minimal scar tissue formation that is less prone for new injuries than scarred tendon.

Best results are obtained when stem cell treatment is done to fresh injuries with minimal scar tissue formation. Some enhancement in healing can also be achieved in treatment of older injuries. However, in these cases re-injury risk is higher due to existing scar tissue.

TendoStem technique utilizes adult stem cells. Ethical
questions are related to the use of embryos' stem cells.

Stem cells required for stem cell treatment are grown from the
horse's own fat tissue. 

The costs are made up of the stem cells' growing process in the
laboratory and the equine clinic's charges, such as fat extraction, stem
cell injection and control visits. Additionally the laboratory stores a small amount of cells from each horse that can be used in case of new injuries.Storage time of one year is included in the basic price, storage time can be expanded with extra fee. Re-culture of cells is charged separately.

The costs vary somewhat,
depending on the case and the clinic cost.  Please ask your clinic about more specific pricing
details. Check also whether your insurance company compensates for stem
cell treatment.