Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Joint Health
Joint health in horses involves the study of anatomical structures such as cartilage, synovial fluid, ligaments, and bones that contribute to the function and mobility of equine joints. Research in this area focuses on understanding the physiology of equine joints, the mechanisms of joint disorders, and the effects of wear and tear over time. Common joint issues in horses include osteoarthritis, synovitis, and joint effusion, which can impact performance and quality of life. Diagnostic techniques often involve imaging, synovial fluid analysis, and clinical evaluation to assess joint condition. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomy, pathology, diagnostics, and therapeutic approaches related to joint health in horses.
Comparison of ultrasonography versus radiography for the diagnosis of dorsal fragmentation of the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joint in horses. To compare clinical usefulness of ultrasonography versus radiography for detection of fragmentation of the dorsal aspect of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in horses. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 36 horses with fragmentation of the MCP (n = 19) and MTP (29) joints. Methods: In all joints, radiography (4 standard projections) and ultrasonography were performed prior to arthroscopic examination and fragment removal. Number and location of fragments identified radiographically and ultrasonographically were compared with arthroscopic findings. Results...
Evaluation of inflammatory responses induced via intra-articular injection of interleukin-1 in horses receiving a dietary nutraceutical and assessment of the clinical effects of long-term nutraceutical administration. To evaluate inflammatory responses induced via intra-articular recombinant human interleukin (IL)-1beta treatment in horses receiving a dietary nutraceutical (DN; composed of mussel, shark cartilage, abalone, and Biota orientalis lipid extract) and assess the clinical effects of long-term DN administration. Methods: 22 healthy horses. Methods: 12 horses were fed 0, 15, 45, or 75 mg of DN (3 horses/treatment) daily for 84 days. General health and clinicopathologic variables were monitored at intervals. Ten other horses received 0 or 15 g of DN/d (5 horses/treatment) for 29 days (beginning day -...
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of ferric-hyaluronate implants for delivery of amikacin sulfate to the tarsocrural joint of horses. To assess the antimicrobial elution characteristics, toxicity, and antimicrobial activity of amikacin-impregnated ferric-hyaluronate implants (AI-FeHAI) for amikacin delivery to the tarsocrural joint of horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: AI-FeHAI implants, equine cartilage, and synovium, and horses (n=6). Methods: In vitro study: Five AI-FeHAI were placed in saline solution with daily replacement until implant degradation. Eluent was tested for amikacin concentration and bioactivity. Synovial and cartilage explants were incubated in the presence or absence of AI-FeHAI for 72 hours a...
A limited surgical approach for pastern arthrodesis in horses with severe osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) is a common cause of chronic lameness in the horse that requires surgical arthrodesis when medical management is no longer able to alleviate pain. Surgical principles for successful PIPJ arthrodesis include articular cartilage debridement and rigid fixation. To completely debride articular cartilage, the collateral ligaments and extensor tendon are transected, disarticulating the joint. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that in chronically lame horses with periarticular new-bone formation and osteoarthritis, successful arth...
Evaluation of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was the assessment of clinical, biochemical, and histologic effects of intraarticular administered adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis was induced arthroscopically in the middle carpal joint of all horses, the contralateral joint being sham-operated. All horses received treatment on Day 14. Eight horses received placebo treatment and eight horses received adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in their osteoarthritis-affected joint. The final eight horses were treate...
The effects of limb posture on relationships between in vitro radial hoof strain, load and joint angles. Radial strain in normal hooves has been found to vary with strain gauge location, limb posture and sample limb but reported magnitudes were considered to be low. More accurate measurement of radial strain may enhance the understanding of hoof function. Objective: To explore in vitro radial hoof strain in relation other kinetic and kinematic variables that may be related. Methods: Five normal forelimbs were removed at the proximal articular surface of the third metacarpal bone (McIII). The limbs were loaded using a modified Instron test machine. Six calibrated infrared cameras captured movement...
In vitro evaluation of metacarpophalangeal joint loading during simulated walk. Insight into the loading pattern of the articular cartilage surface during the complete stride is important as biomechanical factors play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of joint trauma and osteoarthritis (OA). Objective: To determine the loading pattern in the equine MCP articulation in vitro during simulated walk. Methods: Eight cadaveric limbs from mature Dutch Warmblood horses were loaded in a pneumatic loading device in 6 different positions (A1-A6). The pressure distribution on the articular surface of the proximal phalanx (P1) was measured at 7 sites (S1-7) using intra-articularly pl...
Influence of early conditioning exercise on the development of gross cartilage defects and swelling behavior of cartilage extracellular matrix in the equine midcarpal joint. To investigate the influence of early conditioning exercise on the development of gross cartilage defects and swelling behavior of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) in the midcarpal joint of horses. Methods: 12 Thoroughbreds. Methods: 6 horses underwent early conditioning exercise from birth to 18 months of age (CONDEX group), and 6 horses were used as control animals (PASTEX group). The horses were euthanized at 18 months of age, and the midcarpal joints were harvested. Gross defects of the cartilage surface were classified and mapped. Opposing surfaces of the third and radial carpal bones...
Effects of intraarticular ropivacaine and morphine on lipopolysaccharide-induced synovitis in horses. To compare the intraarticular (IA) analgesic effects of ropivacaine and morphine in horses with experimentally induced synovitis. Methods: Randomized, blinded cross-over design. Methods: Twelve healthy mixed breed horses between 8-15 years old. Methods: Synovitis was induced in the left radio-carpal joint with an injection of lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli 055:B5). Six hours later, the horses were treated with an IA injection of 40 mg of ropivacaine (ROPI), 40 mg of morphine (MOR), 20 mg of ropivacaine added to 20 mg of morphine in saline (RM) or 4 mL of saline (SAL), as control. Analges...
Comparison of radiography and ultrasonography to detect osteochondrosis lesions in the tarsocrural joint: a prospective study. Lesions located on the medial malleolus of the tarsocrural joint can be difficult to image radiographically. Ultrasonography allows evaluation of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Objective: To compare dorso30 degrees lateral-plantaromedial-oblique (DL-PIMO) and dorso45 degrees views to detect lesions on the medial malleolus, to validate the use of ultrasonography to show lesions in the tarsocrural joint and to compare its sensitivity to radiography. Methods: Tarsocrural joints (n=111) with osteochondrosis were evaluated ultrasonographically and radiographically prior to arthroscopic l...
Sandwich ELISA system for cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in equine synovial fluid and serum. Measurement of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in serum has potential for diagnosis of equine osteoarthritis (OA), but clinical use is currently limited by the lack of specificity of an inhibition ELISA as well as by baseline increases due to exercise. Improved methods for ELISA with increased antigen specificity and sensitivity are therefore required for reliable measurement. Objective: Measurement of the serum level of COMP by sandwich ELISA allows identification of horses with OA. Methods: New monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were elicited against equine cartilage COMP, their epitope...
Prevalence of various radiographic manifestations of osteochondrosis and their correlations between and within joints in Dutch warmblood horses. Osteochondrosis (OC) is the most important orthopaedic developmental disorder in horses and may manifest in several different forms. No detailed study on the prevalence and/or interrelation of these forms is available, even though these data are a prerequisite for conclusive genetic studies. Objective: To assess the prevalence of the various manifestations of OC as detected radiographically and to evaluate possible relationships between their occurrence within the same joint and between different joints. Methods: The FP (femoropatellar), TC (tarsocrural) and MCP/MTP (metacarpophalangeal/metata...
Relationship between biochemical markers and radiographic scores in the evaluation of the osteoarticular status of Warmblood stallions. Establishing the osteoarticular status of the horse is often performed by means of radiological screening of the animals. Widespread blood sampling could reveal to be an interesting alternative to this procedure which is time consuming and sometimes technically difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the radiological status of the horses and the levels of biochemical markers of cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation. A specific radiological scoring and classification system was therefore developed and applied on 63 stallions presented for studbook ...
Inflammatory mediators and cartilage biomarkers in synovial fluid after a single inflammatory insult: a longitudinal experimental study. Inflammation is an important feature of many joint diseases, and levels of cartilage biomarkers measured in synovial fluid may be influenced by local inflammatory status. Little is known about the magnitude and time course of inflammation-induced changes in cartilage tissue turnover as measured in vivo by synovial fluid markers. We aimed to study temporal changes in concentrations of inflammatory mediators, matrix metalloproteinase activity and cartilage biomarkers over 1 week in joints with experimentally induced inflammation. Methods: Localized inflammation was induced in the intercarpal joi...
Evaluation of topically administered diclofenac liposomal cream for treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. To assess the clinical, biochemical, and histologic effects of topically administered diclofenac liposomal cream (DLC) in the treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Methods: 24 horses. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced arthroscopically in 1 middle carpal joint of all horses. Eight horses treated with DLC were given 7.3 g twice daily via topical application. Eight horses treated with phenylbutazone were given 2 g orally once daily. Eight control horses received no treatment. Evaluations included clinical, radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging, synovial fluid, gross...
Evaluation of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan or sodium hyaluronan administered intra-articularly for treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. To assess clinical, biochemical, and histologic effects of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) or sodium hyaluronan administered intra-articularly in treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Methods: 24 horses. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced arthroscopically in 1 middle carpal joint of all horses. Eight horses received hyaluronan (20 mg) and amikacin (125 mg) intra-articularly on study days 14, 21, and 28. Eight horses received PSGAG (250 mg) and amikacin (125 mg) intra-articularly on study days 14, 21, and 28. Eight control horses received 2 mL of saline (0.9% N...
Genetic variables of various manifestations of osteochondrosis and their correlations between and within joints in Dutch warmblood horses. Osteochondrosis (OC) is an important orthopedic developmental disorder in many horse populations. A review of the literature revealed widely variable heritability estimates for the disorder. We estimated the genetic variables (heritabilities and genetic correlations) of various manifestations of OC. Femoropatellar, tarsocrural, and metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of 811 randomly selected yearlings from the Royal Warmblood Studbook of The Netherlands, descending from 32 representative stallions, were scored for OC at 28 predilection sites. At each site, OC was scored in 5 cat...
Dorsoproximal proximal phalanx osteochondral fragmentation in 117 Warmblood horses. The objective of the present study was to determine clinical and arthroscopic characteristics associated with dorsoproximal proximal phalanx (P1) fragments in Warmblood horses, as well as to examine their histopathological appearance. One hundred sixty-eight fragments were removed from 150 fetlocks of 117 Warmblood horses. Details of signalment and results of clinical examination were collected prior to surgery. After arthroscopic fragment removal and joint evaluation for synovial and/or cartilage abnormalities, the fragments were measured and evaluated histopathologically. The vast majority o...
Osteochondral fragmentation in the synovial pad of the fetlock in Warmblood horses. To determine clinical and arthroscopic characteristics associated with fragments in the synovial pad of the fetlock and to characterize their morphology. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Warmblood horses (n=104) with fragment(s) in the synovial pad. Methods: Signalment and results of radiographic and clinical examination were collected before surgery. After arthroscopic fragment removal and joint evaluation for synovial and/or cartilage abnormalities, fragments were measured, and evaluated by histopathology. Results: Synovial pad fragments (n=142) were removed from 127 fetlocks. Two olde...
An equine joint friction test model using a cartilage-on-cartilage arrangement. This study describes an equine joint friction test using a cartilage-on-cartilage arrangement and investigates the influence of age and load on the frictional response. Osteochondral plugs were extracted from equine shoulder joints (2-5 years, n=12; 10-14 years, n=15), and mounted in a pin-on-disc tribometer. The frictional response was then measured under constant conditions (2N; 20 degrees C; 5 mm/s), and with increasing load (2N, 5N, 10N). In all experiments, the friction coefficient of young cartilage was significantly (P<0.001) smaller than obtained from old cartilage, while the applicati...
Arthroscopic removal of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments from the proximal interphalangeal joint in four horses. To describe anatomic considerations and arthroscopic technique in horses for arthroscopic removal of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments from the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Adult horses (n=4) with osteochondral fragments of the palmar/plantar PIP joint. Methods: Arthroscopic removal of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments within the PIP joint was performed with horses in dorsal recumbency under general anesthesia. Medical records of affected horses were reviewed to determine history; physical, lameness, and radiological findings; surgical ...
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide, mepivacaine hydrochloride, or both on lipopolysaccharide-induced lameness in horses. To assess analgesia, inflammation, potency, and duration of action associated with intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA), mepivacaine hydrochloride, or both in metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of horses with experimentally induced acute synovitis. Methods: 18 horses. Methods: Both forelimbs of each horse were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 3 times. After the first LPS injection, 1 forelimb of each horse was treated with intra-articular injection of mepivacaine (80 mg; n=6), TA (9 mg; 6), or mepivacaine with TA (same doses of each; 6) 12 hours after the initial LPS i...
Interleukin-6 and high mobility group box protein-1 in synovial membranes and osteochondral fragments in equine osteoarthritis. Cytokine production in synovial membranes (SM) and osteochondral fragments (OCF) may influence the development of equine osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, the presence of interleukin (IL)-6 and cytoplasmic and extracellular high mobility group box protein (HMGB)-1 in SM and osteochondral tissue from healthy and diseased equine joints was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, microscopic synovitis was graded. IL-6 was commonly found in SM cells and in chondrocytes in uncalcified cartilage of OCF, whereas little staining was detected in healthy cartilage. Cytoplasmic and/or extra...
Scapulohumeral osteochondrosis. A retrospective study of 32 horses. To review the outcome of equine shoulder osteochondrosis (OC) with surgical or conservative treatment. Methods: Retrospective study of 32 horses, less than two years of age, with scapulohumeral joint (SHJ) OC. The lesion severity was graded based on measurements taken from lateromedial radiographs. Follow-up information was obtained from racing records or telephone conversations with owners. Successful outcome was defined as the ability of the horse to perform its intended use. Results: Sixteen of 32 horses were affected bilaterally (48 joints). Eleven of 16 horses with bilateral OC underwent ...
Liposome-based diclofenac for the treatment of inflammation in an acute synovitis model in horses. Lameness as a result of joint disease is a major source of decreased athletic performance in the horse. Most treatment protocols include the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Phenylbutazone, alone or in combination with other treatments, is the most commonly and widely used NSAID, however it has the potential for serious side effects. The introduction of the liposome-based formulation of the NSAID diclofenac has shown promising effect as a safe and convenient treatment for lameness associated with osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effe...
[The horse as an athlete: an animal model of choice for sports medicine: sonographic studies of joint disorders]. Equine diagnostic sonography was initially used for the diagnosis and documentation of tendon injuries. Since 1990, this technique, along with radiography, has become an indispensable imaging procedure for the diagnosis of equine joint injuries. Sonography provides precise diagnostic information on the synovial membrane and fluid, the articular cartilage, subchondral bone and joint margins, the ligaments and menisci, and the anatomical structures involved in periarticular swelling or enlargement. Improvements in ultrasound machines and better superficial and deep image resolution allow us to e...
Osteochondral injury increases type II collagen degradation products (C2C) in synovial fluid of Thoroughbred racehorses. To investigate the effects of exercise and osteochondral (OC) injury on type II collagen degradation products (collagenase cleavage neoepitope commercially known as C2C) in synovial fluid (SF) from Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses and to compare these results with radiographic and arthroscopic scores of severity of joint injury. Methods: Metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) and carpal SF was obtained from (1) 20 normal rested horses, (2) the same horses after 5 to 6 months of race training, and (3) 27 horses with OC injury from racing. For group 3, radiographic and arthroscopic scores...
Effects of clinically relevant concentrations of glucosamine on equine chondrocytes and synoviocytes in vitro. To evaluate the effects of glucosamine on equine articular chondrocytes and synoviocytes at concentrations clinically relevant to serum and synovial fluid concentrations. Methods: Articular cartilage and synovium with normal gross appearance from metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of 8 horses (1 to 10 years of age). Methods: In vitro chondrocyte and synoviocyte cell cultures from 8 horses were treated with glucosamine (0.1 to 20 microg/mL) with or without interleukin-1 (IL-1; 10 ng/mL) for 48 hours. Negative control cultures received no glucosamine or IL-1, and positive control...
