- Published:
Intra-Articular Treatment of Arthritis in Race-Horses with Sodium Hyaluronate
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 17, pages 379–394 (1976)
Abstract
Forty-five race-horses with arthritis of non-in-fectious type in 54 joints were treated with sodium hyaluronate intra-articularly. All joints had previously been treated without lasting success by conventional methods, such as firing, blistering or intraarticular injection of cortisone. In most cases only 1 injection of 2 ml (20 mg) sodium hyaluronate was needed. To avoid subjective evaluation, the effects of the treatment were based on the joint’s capacity of withstanding extreme stress, which means that the horse should be able to train and race again. The treatment was concentrated on the carpal and fetlock joints. Of the 54 joints treated only 5 did not show any improvement. Thirty-eight were free from lameness — 32 of them returned to the race-track. The observation period was at least 1 year. No side effects were observed.
References
Farquharson W. B.: Lameness Symposium. Proc. AAEP 1966, 329–343.
Meagher D. M.: The effects of intra-articular corticosteroids and continued training on carpal chip fractures of horses. Proc. AAEP 1970, 405–420.
Nilsson G.: De distala lederna och falangerna hos den varmblodiga travaren. (The distal joints and phalanges of the Standardbred trotter). Thesis, Stockholm 1973.
O'Connor J. T.: The untoward effects of the corticosteroids in equine practice. J. Amer. vet. med. Ass. 1968, 153, (1614–1617).
Bydell N. W., J. Butler & E. A. Balazs: Hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid. VI. Effect of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid on the clinical symptoms of arthritis in track horses. Acta vet. scand. 1970, 11, (139–155).
Salter B. B., A. Gross & J. H. Hall: Hydrocortisone arthropathy. — An experimental investigation. Ganad. med. Ass. J. 1967, 97, (374–377).
Acknowledgments
We are deeply indebted to Prof. Endre Balazs, Columbia University, New York for the supply of sodium hyaluronate and valuable discussion in planning the trial protocol. We would add our sincere gratitude to ass. prof. Nils Rydell, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm for his part in initiating the trial.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Åsheim, Å., Lindblad, G. Intra-Articular Treatment of Arthritis in Race-Horses with Sodium Hyaluronate. Acta Vet Scand 17, 379–394 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547893
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547893