A Double-Blinded Positive Control Study Comparing the Relative Efficacy of 2.5% Polyacrylamide Hydrogel (PAAG) Against Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) And Sodium Hyaluronate (HA) in the Management of Middle Carpal Joint Lameness in Racing Thoroughbreds.

The study investigates the efficiency of 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) compared to triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and sodium hyaluronate (HA) in the treatment of middle carpal joint lameness in Racing Thoroughbreds. The study reveals that 2.5% PAAG showed better performance and longer-lasting therapeutic effects.

Procedure Overview

• A total of 31 Thoroughbreds with grade 1-3/5 lameness were considered for the study. Lameness was localized to the carpus, confirmed by intra-articular analgesia.
• The horses underwent a radiological evaluation to confirm the absence of any fragments or fractures in the carpi (the horse’s equivalent of the human wrist).
• The horses were then randomly assigned to receive an intra-articular treatment of either 2 ml of 2.5% PAAG, 12 mg TA, or 20 mg HA. Notably, the HA group received two additional intravenous treatments of 40 mg per week.
• All horses, after the procedure, were rested for 48 hours then re-entered into their standard training regimen.
• The treated horses received weekly examinations at 2, 4, and 6 weeks by a blinded examining veterinarian.
• Horses within the 2.5% PAAG group were positioned under further observation till the 12th week for any recurrence of lameness.

Findings of the Study

• The study found that 83% of joints treated with 2.5% PAAG were free of lameness at 6 weeks. This percentage was significantly higher compared to the TA group at 27% and the HA group at 40%.
• No significant difference was noted between the TA and HA groups at any point during the study.
• All the joints treated with 2.5% PAAG that had no lameness at the 6th week (10 out of 12) remained lameness-free at the 12th week.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that the 2.5% PAAG treatment has a superior efficacy in managing middle carpal joint lameness in flat-racing Thoroughbreds compared to TA and HA.
• Besides, the therapeutic effects of the 2.5% PAAG treatment persisted even up to 12 weeks after treatment, demonstrating a longer-lasting effect than the other two treatments.