IRAP procedure

[Jenarby]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with it?
My friend has a gelding who has an ulcer in his ankle and some pretty significant arthitis. She's been doing lots of research and her vet had suggested this procedure but didn't have enough enfo to definitely recommend it. We have been trying to compare it to stem cell therapy. Her vet told her he knows of two horses who had the IRAP done on ankles. One had an anlke much worse than her horse. Now, the horse is back training at the track and is sound. The other was an upper level dressage horse who is doing extremely well also. SHe wants to find out if the procedure only stop anymore damage or if it actually repairs it. And....how long before it needs to be redone?
We talked to a guy at Equine Affaire yesterday who said stem cell would be more likely to "fill in" the ulcer.....we are both pretty confused now.
Stem cell will run around 2k and IRAP around 1k. So it's quite an investment for her to make on a "maybe."
BUT she really wants to give the horse a chance. Otherwise he will not ever be rideable. He's got a wonderful personality and is easy for her to handle. So she's interested in learning as much as she can.