Evaluation of an intra-articular carboxymethylcellulose crosslinked hydrogel in horses with osteoarthritis.

This study investigates the use of a Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) hydrogel in reducing lameness in horses suffering from osteoarthritis. The research suggests that while initial improvements are slower than a control treatment, the effects of CMC hydrogel are longer-lasting.

Objective and Hypothesis of the Study

• The main objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) hydrogel in reducing lameness in horses diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
• The researchers hypothesized that administering CMC into the joint of horses would result in prolonged reduction in lameness as compared to a control treatment.

Methodology

• The study involved thirty horses, all diagnosed with osteoarthritis-related lameness in the metacarpophalangeal joint. These horses were randomly divided into two groups.
• One group, consisting of 16 horses, were treated using a single intra-articular injection of CMC hydrogel, while the other group, comprising of 14 horses, was treated with 12 mg/joint of triamcinolone acetonide and 20 mg/joint of hyaluronic acid.
• Lameness in the horses was evaluated using the standardized AAEP scoring system. This evaluation was done at baseline, and then 15, 30, and 90 days after the treatment.
• Successful treatment was indicated by a decrease in at least one lameness grade without requiring any additional therapy.

Results and Conclusion

• The results showed that after 90 days, 12 out of the 16 horses (75%) in the CMC treated group achieved treatment success. This was in contrast to the control group where only one out of the fourteen horses (7.1%) achieved success.
• However, the CMC group showed slower initial improvement than the control group. After 15 days, only 3 out of 15 horses (20%) in the CMC group showed improvement versus 13 out of 14 horses (90%) in the control group.
• By 30 days, both groups had a 75% success rate, but the CMC group maintained this improvement up until 90 days, indicating a longer-lasting effect.
• The study concluded that the intra-articular administration of CMC hydrogel provided delayed, but longer-lasting improvements in lameness in horses with osteoarthritis compared to the treatment using corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid.