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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical st...
BMC veterinary research2016; 12; 60; doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0687-7

A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study on intra-articular hyaluronan treatment in equine lameness originating from the metacarpophalangeal joint.

Abstract: Intra-articular inflammation resulting in lameness is a common health problem in horses. Exogenous intra-articular hyaluronic acid has been shown to provide an analgesic effect and reduce pain in equine and human osteoarthritis. High molecular weight non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) has gained popularity in the treatment of human arthritic conditions due to its long-acting pain-relieving effects. The aim of this study was to compare the response to treatment of lameness localized in the equine metacarpophalangeal joint injected with non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) and placebo (saline). Twenty-seven clinically lame horses with a positive response to diagnostic intra-articular anaesthesia of the metacarpophalangeal joint and with no, or at most mild, radiographic changes in this joint were included in the study. Horses in the treatment group (n = 14) received 3 mL of a NASHA product intra-articularly, and those in the placebo group (n = 13) received an equivalent volume of sterile 0.9% saline solution. Results: The change in the lameness score did not significantly differ between NASHA and placebo groups (P = 0.94). Scores in the flexion test improved more in the NASHA group compared with placebo (P = 0.01). The changes in effusion and pain in flexion were similar (P = 0.94 and P = 0.27, respectively) when NASHA and placebo groups were compared. A telephone interview follow-up of the owners three months post-treatment revealed that 14 of the 21 horses (67%) were able to perform at their previous level of exercise. Conclusions: In the present study, a single IA NASHA injection was not better than a single saline injection for reducing lameness in horses with synovitis or mild osteoarthritis. However, the results of this study indicate that IA NASHA may have some beneficial effects in modifying mild clinical signs but more research is needed to evaluate whether the positive effect documented ie. reduced response in the flexion test is a true treatment effect.
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Publication Date: 2016-03-23 PubMed ID: 27005478PubMed Central: PMC4804525DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0687-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the use of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid, or NASHA, as a treatment for lameness in horses. It finds that while NASHA did not significantly reduce lameness more than a saline injection, it did help improve results of a flexion test, suggesting there may be some mild beneficial effects.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a NASHA treatment against a placebo saline solution for treating lameness in horses stemming from inflammation in the metacarpophalangeal joint (a joint in the horse’s front limb).
  • In order to obtain reliable results, the study was randomized, double-blinded (meaning neither the researchers nor the subjects knew who was getting the treatment or the placebo), and placebo-controlled.
  • 27 horses with clinical lameness were included in the study, of which 14 received the NASHA treatment and 13 received a saline placebo. The effects on lameness, pain, and joint effusion were then observed and compared.

Results

  • The study found that there was no significant difference between the NASHA and placebo groups when it came to an overall change in lameness score.
  • However, scores on the flexion test—a test that measures the horse’s response to the flexion of its joints—showed more improvement in the NASHA group compared to the placebo group.
  • Changes in joint effusion, the accumulation of excess fluid in a joint, and pain were similar in the NASHA and placebo groups.

Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that NASHA does not significantly reduce lameness more than a saline placebo. However, the improvement seen in the flexion test in the NASHA group indicates that the treatment could have some mild beneficial effects.
  • A follow-up with the owners three months after treatment revealed that 67% of the horses were able to perform at their previous level of exercise, suggesting some level of recovery in the study’s sample.
  • The researchers suggest that more research is needed to understand whether the beneficial effects seen in the flexion test are a genuine result of treatment and what other potential benefits NASHA might have for treating lameness.

Cite This Article

APA
Niemelä TM, Tulamo RM, Hielm-Björkman AK. (2016). A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study on intra-articular hyaluronan treatment in equine lameness originating from the metacarpophalangeal joint. BMC Vet Res, 12, 60. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0687-7

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 60

Researcher Affiliations

Niemelä, Tytti M
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki,, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. tytti.niemela@helsinki.fi.
Tulamo, Riitta-Mari
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki,, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
Hielm-Björkman, Anna K
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki,, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Hyaluronic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Hyaluronic Acid / pharmacology
  • Injections, Intra-Articular / veterinary
  • Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Metacarpophalangeal Joint / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viscosupplements / administration & dosage
  • Viscosupplements / pharmacology

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