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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Current joint therapy usage in equine practice: Changes in t...
Equine veterinary journal2021; doi: 10.1111/evj.13489

Current joint therapy usage in equine practice: Changes in the last 10 years.

Abstract: Osteoarthritis is a common clinical condition in the performance horse. In the last 10 years, there has been substantial growth in understanding of the disease and in the development of novel therapies. Objective: To document changes in clinical use of joint therapies over the past 10 years. We also aimed to understand how newly developed therapies have been added to routine clinical practice. Methods: Survey of veterinary professionals. Methods: We administered an electronic survey to members of the American Association of the Equine Practitioners. Questions from a similar survey in 2009 were repeated and new questions were added. The responses were tabulated, analysed and compared to those of the previous survey. Results: A total of 407 completed surveys were returned. There were no significant differences between the current and previous surveys with respect to demographic parameters. Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) remained the most common corticosteroid used to treat high-motion joints. Methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) remained the most common corticosteroid to treat low-motion joints. The use of MPA for high-motion joints was significantly more common in 2009 than in 2019 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.66-3.42, P = .001). Biological therapies became more popular, and the likelihood of respondents reporting having used autologous conditioned serum was substantially higher in 2019 than in 2009 (OR: 4.24, 95% CI: 3.16-5.68, P < .001). Concomitant use of antibiotics with intra-articular medications became more common as well. Conclusions: This is a report of survey data and not directly measured treatments. Conclusions: There is a decrease in the use of MPA to treat high-motion joints. The use of biological therapies in joints has become more prevalent. There are clear differences in the use of joint therapies over time. While some differences agree with the scientific evidence, others are not fully concordant or are in direct conflict with the scientific literature.
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Publication Date: 2021-06-18 PubMed ID: 34143532DOI: 10.1111/evj.13489Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The study examines changes in the use of joint therapies for horses suffering from osteoarthritis over the past decade. It reveals a shift from using certain corticosteroids to the increased use of biological therapies.

Methods

  • The research was conducted through an electronic survey sent out to members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
  • The survey contained questions from a similar study conducted in 2009, and additional new questions relevant to the research.
  • The responses were gathered, analyzed, and compared to the responses from the 2009 survey.

Findings

  • The survey saw a total of 407 completed responses.
  • The data indicated that there were no significant changes between the current and previous surveys concerning demographic details.
  • Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) remained the most commonly administered corticosteroid to treat high-motion joints, such as knees and ankles.
  • Methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) continued to be the most frequently used corticosteroid for treating low-motion joints, including hocks and stifle joints.
  • Interestingly, the use of MPA for high-motion joints had significantly decreased in 2019, compared to 2009.
  • The study, however, noted an increase in the use of biological therapies for joint treatment. For instance, the use of autologous conditioned serum was substantially higher in 2019 than in 2009.
  • Alongside these shifts, there was also an increasing tendency for concomitant use of antibiotics with intra-articular medications.

Conclusions

  • The analysis is based on survey data rather than direct measurement of treatments.
  • There was a clear decline in the use of MPA to treat high-motion joints.
  • The use of biological therapies in joint treatment significantly increased over the past decade.
  • While these patterns generally conformed with existing scientific evidence, the researchers found some discrepancies, suggesting further investigation is needed to align practice with scientific literature.

Cite This Article

APA
Zanotto GM, Frisbie DD. (2021). Current joint therapy usage in equine practice: Changes in the last 10 years. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13489

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Zanotto, Gustavo M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Frisbie, David D
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

Grant Funding

  • N/A / American Association of Equine Practitioners

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This article includes 16 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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