Effects of intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma as a complementary treatment to arthroscopy in horses with osteochondritis dissecans.
Abstract: Although arthroscopy is the treatment of choice for horses with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), it is not yet known whether intra-articular therapies in the postoperative period can bring any benefit to the recovery of these animals. This study evaluated the effects of the intra-articular application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid (HA) or lactated Ringer's solution (LR) in horses with OCD undergoing arthroscopy. Eighteen male and female Brazilian Sport horses aged between 2 and 6 years were evaluated. All animals presented OCD fragments in the middle crest of the tibia. Ten days after surgery, animals were randomly distributed into three groups and received intra-articular application of PRP (n = 6), HA (n = 6), or LR (control group, n = 6). Clinical, radiographic, ultrasound and synovial fluid evaluations were performed on the day of surgery and after 10, 30 and 60 days. An increase in the thickness of the joint capsule was observed 30 days after surgery in the three groups evaluated. In the control group, there was significant improvement in the flexion test 30 and 60 days after surgery, and in the PRP group, there was worsening of this parameter in the same evaluations. In the control group, there was a reduction in the degree of synovial effusion, and in the PRP and HA groups, there was increased effusion. There was a significant increase in the number of leukocytes in the HA group. Intra-articular use of PRP or HA ten days after arthroscopy did not promote positive effects on the recovery of horses with OCD.
© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Date: 2023-12-23 PubMed ID: 38259325PubMed Central: PMC10801337DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100330Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 investigated the effects of certain therapies administered after arthroscopic surgery for horses with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), a joint disorder. The therapies examined included platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid (HA), and a control solution in a sample of Brazilian Sport horses. The results suggest that the additional treatments did not significantly improve the horses’ recovery.
Methodology
- The researchers studied 18 Brazilian Sport horses suffering from OSD fragments in the crest of their tibia. The horses involved in the study were both males and females, ranging from 2 to 6 years of age.
- A random allotment of these horses was then made into three groups, each receiving a different intra-articular application 10 days after arthroscopy: PRP, HA, or lactated Ringer’s solution (LR) as a control group.
- The researchers then carried out clinical, radiographic, ultrasound, and synovial fluid evaluations on the day of surgery and after 10, 30, and 60 days.
Findings
- 30 days post-surgery, all groups showed a thickening of the joint capsule.
- In the control group, the flexion test results improved significantly 30 and 60 days after surgery. On the other hand, the PRP-treated group exhibited a worsening of flexion test parameters for the same time periods.
- The study noted a reduction in the level of synovial effusion (fluid in the joint) in the control group, while the PRP and HA groups witnessed an increase.
- There was a significant increase in the white blood cell count, indicating inflammation, in the HA group.
Conclusions
- The results suggest that the intra-articular application of PRP or HA ten days after arthroscopy did not yield any positive effects on the recovery of horses with OCD.
- This suggests other strategies for post-surgery care should be explored and tested to determine effective ways to boost recovery in horses undergoing OCD surgery.
The authors highlight the need for more research in this area to explore potential therapies that could prove beneficial in the post-operative recovery period for equine patients with this joint condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Pereira MF, Ribeiro G, Gonzales A, Arantes JA, Dória RGS.
(2023).
Effects of intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma as a complementary treatment to arthroscopy in horses with osteochondritis dissecans.
Vet Anim Sci, 23, 100330.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2023.100330 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Batatais Equine Veterinary Hospital, Rodovia Altino Arantes, 5500, Batatais, São Paulo 14300-000, Brazil.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University of Humanities and Technology (FMV/ULHT), Campo Grande 376, Lisboa 1749-024, Portugal.
- Batatais Equine Veterinary Hospital, Rodovia Altino Arantes, 5500, Batatais, São Paulo 14300-000, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Rua Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Jardim Elite, 13.635-900, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Rua Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Jardim Elite, 13.635-900, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Conflict of Interest Statement
No competing interests have been declared.
References
This article includes 23 references
- Barcelos K.M.C.. Exame ultrassonográfico da articulação metacarpofalangeana de equinos praticantes de polo na zona Oeste do Estado do Rio de Janeiro: Protocolo e mensurações.. Veterinaria e Zootecnia 2012;19(3):407–415.
- Brossi P.M., Moreira J.J., Machado T.S.L.. Platelet-rich plasma in orthopedic therapy: A comparative systematic review of clinical and experimental data in equine and human musculoskeletal lesions.. BMC Veterinary Research 2015;11(98):1–17.
- Carmona J.U., Arguelles D., Climent F.. Autologous platelet concentrates as a treatment of horses with osteoarthritis: A preliminary pilot clinical study.. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2007;27(4):167–170.
- Carmona J.U., López C., Prades M.. Uso de concentrados autólogos de plaquetas obtenidos mediante el método del tubo como tratamiento de artropatías en caballos.. Archivos de Medicina Veterinaria 2009;41:175–179.
- Chevalier X.. Intraarticular treatments for osteoarthritis: New perspectives.. Current Drug Targets 2010;11:546–560.
- Coronado I., Iturriaga V., Bornhardt T.. Application protocol of hyaluronic acid on temporomandibular joint degenerative diseases.. Avances en Odontoestomatologia 2015;31:77–84.
- Harrison L.J., Edwards G.B.. Radiographic investigation of osteochondrosis.. Equine Veterinary Education 1996;8:172–176.
- Howard R.D., McIIwraith C.W.. Sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of equine joint disease.. Compendium: Continuing Education For Veterinarians 1993;15:473–481.
- Johnston G.C.A., Wood K.A., Jackson K.V.. Evaluation of the inflammatory response to two intra-articular hyaluronic acid formulations in normal equine joints.. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2019;00:1–12.
- McIlwraith C.W.. Use of synovial fluid and serum biomarkers in equine bone and joint disease: A review.. Equine Veterinary Journal 2005;37:473–482.
- McIlwraith C.W.. Surgical versus conservative management of osteocondrosis.. The Veterinary Journal 2013;197:19–28.
- Moraes A.P.L., Moreira J.J., Brossi P.M.. Short- and long-term effects of platelet-rich plasma upon healthy equine joints: Clinical and laboratory aspects.. Canadian Veterinary Journal 2015;56:831–838.
- Neuenschwander H.M., Moreira J.J., Vendruscolo C.. Hyaluronic acid has chondroprotective and joint-preserving effects on LPS-induced synovitis in horses.. Journal of Veterinary Science 2019;20(6):E67.
- Onodera Y., Teramura T., Takehara T.. Hyaluronic acid regulates a key redox control factor Nrf2 via phosphorylation of Akt in bovine articular chondrocytes.. FEBS Open Bio 2015;5:476–484.
- Raes E.V., Vanderperren K., Pille F.. Ultrasonographic findings in 100 horses with tarsal region disorders.. The Veterinary Journal 2010;186(2):201–209.
- Semevolos A.S.. Osteochondritis dissecans development.. Veterinary Clinics: Equine 2017;33:367–378.
- Stashak T.S.. Adams'Lameness in horses.. 5th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; Hoboken: 2002.
- Textor J.A., Tablin F.. Intra-articular use of a platelet-rich product in normal horses: Clinical signs and cytologic responses.. Veterinary Surgery 2013;42(5):499–510.
- Trotter G.W., McIlwraith C.W.. Joint disease in the horse.. W.B. Saunders; Philadelphia: 1996. Clinical features and diagnosis of joint disease; pp. 120–145.
- Van Weeren P.R.. Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of OC(D). Clinical Techniques in Equine Practice 2006;5:248–258.
- Wang C.T., Lin Y.T., Chiang B.L.. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid down-regulates the gene expression of osteoarthritis-associated cytokines and enzymes in fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with early osteoarthritis.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006;14:1237–1247.
- Yasui T., Akatsuka M., Tobetto K.. The effect of hyaluronan on interleukin-1 alpha-induced prostaglandin E2 production in human osteoarthritic synovial cells.. Agents and Actions 1992;37:155–156.
- Ziltener J.L., Allet L., Sclison P.. How effective are injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of sports injuries: A critical review of the literature.. Journal of Sports Medicine & Doping Studies S2 2012:1–6.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
