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Multivariable analysis of factors influencing outcome of 2 treatment protocols in 128 cases of horses responding positively to intra-articular analgesia of the distal interphalangeal joint.
Abstract: There is limited knowledge available of factors influencing response to treatments of the DIP-joint in horses with lameness responding to diagnostic analgesia of the DIP-joint. For this reason a multivariable statistical analysis was performed. Objective: Horses with lameness reduced by > or = 75% 10 min after intra-articular analgesia of the DIP-joint, can be treated successfully by intra-articular medication of the joint. Multiple factors influence the response to treatment. Methods: The study was performed retrospectively based on clinical records of horses treated with either polysulphated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) or methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) in the DIP-joint between January 1996 and January 2003. Information was collected from clinical records and from the owners of the horses via a detailed questionnaire, in which they described their perception of the outcome a minimum of one year after treatment. Allocation of the horses to the 2 treatment groups was done mainly because of a change in treatment policy. In Regime A all horses received 3 intra-articular injections of PSGAG approximately 8 days apart, whereas in Regime B all horses received a single intra-articular injection of MPA as a first treatment. If the horse did not improve sufficiently to return to work by 4 weeks, a series of 3 intra-articular PSGAG injections was administered. Results: Of the horses receiving Regime A, 67% had a successful outcome, compared with 46% of the group receiving Regime B. A significantly better result was obtained in dressage horses than in jumping horses (eventing and showjumping). Other variables such as age, duration of lameness, distribution of lameness, degree of lameness, response to DIP-joint analgesia and radiographic observations were also associated with success of treatment. Conclusions: There is a rationale for using either PSGAG or MPA intra-articularly in the treatment of lameness, reduced > or = 75% within 10 min of analgesia of the DIP-joint.
Publication Date: 2007-03-24 PubMed ID: 17378444DOI: 10.2746/042516407x170094Google 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.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses how a multivariable analysis was conducted to understand the factors that affect the outcome of two treatment protocols used in treating lameness in horses caused by issues in the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, one using polysulphated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) and the other methylprednisolone acetate (MPA).
Research Objective
The main objective of the study was conducted to find out whether:
- After intra-articular analgesia of the DIP-joint, horses experiencing lameness reductions of 75% or more could be treated successfully by intra-articular medication of the joint.
- The successful treatment of the joint issues was influenced by multiple factors.
Methods Used
This retrospective study was conducted using the clinical records of horses treated with either PSGAG or MPA in the DIP-joint between January 1996 and January 2003. The information was collected from:
- Clinical records.
- A detailed questionnaire filled by the horse owners in which they explained their perception of the horses’ conditions, at least a year after the treatments.
The differential assignment of horses to the two treatment groups was done due to a change in the treatment policy:
- In Regime A, all horses received three injections of PSGAG, roughly every 8 days.
- In Regime B, all horses started with one injection of MPA. If no significant improvement was seen after 4 weeks, then the horse was given three PSGAG injections.
Research Results
Of all the horses receiving Regime A, 67% had successful outcomes, compared to just 46% in the Regime B group. Unsurprisingly, successful results were associated with multiple factors:
- Significantly better results were seen in dressage horses than in jumping horses (specifically eventing and showjumping).
- Other influencing factors included the age of the horse, the duration and severity of lameness, the horse’s response to DIP-joint analgesia, and any radiographic observations.
Conclusion
This study highlights the importance of both PSGAG and MPA in intra-articular treatment of lameness, particularly one that reduces by 75% or more within 10 minutes of analgesia of the DIP-joint.
Cite This Article
APA
Kristiansen KK, Kold SE.
(2007).
Multivariable analysis of factors influencing outcome of 2 treatment protocols in 128 cases of horses responding positively to intra-articular analgesia of the distal interphalangeal joint.
Equine Vet J, 39(2), 150-156.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407x170094 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Willesley Equine Clinic Ltd., Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QU UK.
MeSH Terms
- Analgesia / methods
- Analgesia / veterinary
- Anesthesia, Local / methods
- Anesthesia, Local / veterinary
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
- Female
- Foot Diseases / drug therapy
- Foot Diseases / prevention & control
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Glycosaminoglycans / therapeutic use
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Injections, Intra-Articular / veterinary
- Joint Diseases / drug therapy
- Joint Diseases / prevention & control
- Joint Diseases / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
- Lameness, Animal / prevention & control
- Male
- Methylprednisolone / analogs & derivatives
- Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
- Methylprednisolone Acetate
- Multivariate Analysis
- Pain / prevention & control
- Pain / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Time Factors
- Toe Joint / drug effects
- Toe Joint / pathology
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- van Zadelhoff C, Schwarz T, Smith S, Engerand A, Taylor S. Identification of Naturally Occurring Cartilage Damage in the Equine Distal Interphalangeal Joint Using Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Arthrography. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:508.
- Warnock WR, Marsh CA, Hand DR. Outcome of arthroscopic debridement of cartilage injury in the equine distal interphalangeal joint. Can Vet J 2019 Jul;60(7):731-736.
- White GW. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan as a treatment for osteoarthritis in veterinary medicine: Summary of the pharmacological, laboratory, and clinical data. Open Vet J 2025 Sep;15(9):4007-4023.
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