What is the Evidence of Hyaluronic Acid and Polyacrylamide Hydrogel in Intra-articular Therapy in Equines? Systematic Literature Review

A systematic review was conducted to investigate evidence to support or refute the use of hyaluronic acid and polyacrylamide hydrogel as intra-articular therapy in equines, which are frequent treatment options in the routine of veterinarians of equines in cases of osteoarthritis. In total, 19 studies were included, among clinical and in vitro studies, as well as a retrospective series of cases. The outcomes of the included studies provided fragile evidence supporting the recommendation for intra-articular use of hyaluronic acid. No study was included showing any clinical outcome in diseased synovial tissues of the polyacrylamide hydrogel. There is no concrete evidence of benefits, treatment protocols, and mechanisms of action of hyaluronic acid in the joint therapy in equines.     

Prevalence of Juvenile Osteochondral Conditions in Yearling Thoroughbred Racehorses in Southern Brazil

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCCs) in yearling Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses in Southern Brazil, as well as to examine the same animals studied as weanlings by Bastos et al. (2017) and compare the radiographic findings for the two ages. Radiographs of 76 male and female TB yearlings from Paraná State, Southern Brazil, were investigated. The proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal (MC/MT), tarsal, and femorotibial (FT) joints were evaluated using 24 radiographic projections. The evaluation consisted of a severity index (rated as 0, 1, 2, 4, or 8), the sum of which resulted in an osteoarticular status (OAS) of good, intermediate, or poor for each animal. Radiographs of 92% of the investigated animals presented at least one finding consistent with JOCCs. The most affected region was the tarsal joint (72.9%), followed by the FT (50%), MT (25%), and MC (23%) joints. Thirty-three (43.4%) horses presented a decline in their OAS, whereas nine (11.8%) presented an improvement from the weanling to yearling age. The radiographic findings suggest that JOCCs are frequent in TB yearlings, but the meaning and relevance of these radiographic findings require further study.     

奶牛正常腕关节的超声影像学的研究

采用7．5MHz的线扫探头对4只奶牛尸体腕关节和6头奶牛的8个腕关节的正常结构进行了超声检查。一般骨骼的回声为光环或光线，关节囊呈明显的液性暗区，腱质呈实性强回声。桡腕关节囊、腕间关节囊及囊内绒毛可见。腕关节的腕桡侧伸肌腱、臂二头肌腱、指浅屈肌腱和指深屈肌腱都可清楚地看到，腕关节外侧由于腱比较细，加上侧副韧带多，在声像图上较难辨别其结构，腕关节内侧超声声像图不清楚。     

Use of Infrared Thermography to Detect Intrasynovial Injections in Horses

Athletic horses often experience painful conditions of the musculoskeletal system, but their ability to compete can be prolonged using certain anesthetic agents. The present study investigated the ability of thermography to detect fetlock and middle carpal intrasynovial injections of bupivacaine hydrochloride in five mares. Saline injections were performed in the contralateral limbs. Thermographic evaluation was conducted at the dorsal and palmar aspects before (basal) and 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 1440 minutes after injection. The intrasynovial treatments resulted in increased limb temperature, with fetlock temperatures higher on the dorsal aspect at 15, 30, and 60 minutes and on the palmar aspect from 15 to 1440 minutes (P < .05) after the bupivacaine and saline injections. Increased carpal temperature was detected on the dorsal aspect at 60 and 90 minutes (P < .05). The present study demonstrates that thermography can be used to detect intrasynovial injections in horses.     

Prevalence of Radiographic Signs of Osteoarthritis in Lusitano Purebred Horses

Radiographic prevalence and correlation of radiographic findings has not been performed in Lusitano Purebred horses. The aim of this study was to (1) evaluate the prevalence of primary osteoarthritis radiographic findings in Lusitano Purebred horses; (2) to assess correlations between radiographic findings in different joints of the same limb and different limbs; and (3) elucidate the effect of age in the radiographic findings. A radiographic protocol of the stifle, tarsi, fetlocks and distal limbs was done in 98 Lusitanos and the classification of the radiographs was performed using a 0-4 scale developed and applied blindly by three veterinarians. The distal interphalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, tarsometatarsal, distal intertarsal, proximal intertarsal/, tibiotarsal and femorotibial-patellar joints were evaluated. Most joints presented no abnormal findings or minor abnormal radiographic findings (82.86% grade ≤1). The most affected joint was tarsometatarsal and more severe lesions were found in tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal. Femorotibial-patellar radiographic changes were rare (2.13%). A strong/moderate correlation was found between contralateral joints with exception hindlimb fetlocks. A moderate correlation was found between fore and hindlimbs for distal limb joints. When analyzing ipsilateral as well as diagonal distal limbs, a strong/moderate correlation was also found. The total score progressed in 0.2 score points per each year of age, revealing that age can be a statistically significant predictor for radiographic changes. Overall, Lusitano horses presented a low prevalence of severe radiographic sings of primary osteoarthritis. Findings in contralateral joints tend to be correlated.     

Physiological Concentrations of Acute-Phase Proteins and Immunoglobulins in Equine Synovial Fluid

Synovial fluid (SF) is capable of reflecting infectious, immunological, or inflammatory joint conditions in horses by altering its composition and appearance. Although plasma and SF compositions are quantitatively different, this latter compartment reflects changes in plasma macromolecules. Therefore, changes in serum immunoglobulin protein concentrations tend also to alter intracapsular levels. Therefore, it is necessary to know the physiological concentrations of proteins present in SF. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of total protein, albumin, transferrin, haptoglobin, α1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, and immunoglobulins A and G in SF of six healthy horses. The synovial proteinogram was obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The SF proteins reached a maximum of 25% of serum concentrations, varying inversely with molecular weight of the protein, except for the ceruloplasmin.     

The Effect of Stirrup Iron Style on Normal Forces and Rider Position

The stirrup iron has the potential to modify the forces experienced by a horse and rider during ridden exercise. A range of stirrup designs are available, but no previous studies have investigated if these modifications influence riders’ position and interaction with the horse. Novel flexible (F) or flexible and rotatable (FR) irons versus traditional (T) stirrups may positively impact the welfare and performance of the horse and rider. Four riders rode using the three stirrup types (T, F, and FR). Hip, knee, and ankle angles and toe position from film, and the normal force exerted bilaterally on force sensors on the stirrups tread were evaluated at the highest (HP) and lowest point (LP) of the posting trot (n = 4) and canter (n = 2). Statistics included Shapiro-Wilk’s test, Friedman’s test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test (significant at P < .05). No significant difference was seen between joint angles, toe position, or forces between the types of stirrups. At the HP, mean hip, knee, and ankle angles were 169.4° ± 10°, 150.7° ± 9.7°, and 94.5° ± 9.6°, and 139.1° ± 9.6°, 123.9° ± 10.9°, and 92.7° ± 9.5° at the LP. Riders had an 8.74° ± 6.66° difference of right versus left joints. Right toes rotated more laterally (P = .02) regardless of stirrup type. The mean trot and canter forces applied (N)/body weight (N) were 0.72 ± 0.15 (HP), 0.19 ± 0.15 (LP), and 0.18 ± 0.05 (canter). Riders shortened the stirrup leathers with F or FR. Stirrup style minimally impacted rider position or the forces experienced; however, forces differed by gait. Future studies regarding how a rider’s experience and painful joints may contribute to asymmetries are warranted.     

Relationship Between Neutrophil Activity,Oxidative Stress,Acute Phase Response,and Lameness Grade in Naturally Occurring Acute and Chronic Joint Disorders in Horses

We hypothesized that in horses with naturally occurring joint disorders, the neutrophil response, acute phase response (APR), and oxidative stress parameters elevated significantly and are markers of increased inflammatory response in these conditions. Therefore, the first aim of the study was to evaluate neutrophil response, oxidative status, and APR. The neutrophil activity was assessed on the basis of elastase, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and alkaline phosphatase release, whereas free radical generation was assessed on the basis of nitric oxide and superoxide production. Acute phase response was estimated on the basis of fibrinogen or haptoglobin plasma concentration and oxidative stress on the basis of malondialdehyde plasma concentration. Then, these parameters were compared with lameness grade, and correlation coefficients between them were calculated. The study was conducted on 43 horses divided on control group of healthy horses (n = 17), acute lameness (AL) group (11 horses), and chronic lameness (CL) group (15 horses). The neutrophil activity from horses of both groups of joint disorders (AL and CL) was significantly (P < .01) higher in comparison with healthy horses. Elastase release was 67.28 ± 1.89% of maximal activity in AL group in comparison with 51.72 ± 1.75% in healthy horses and 62.61 ± 1.54% in CL group. The highest values of other enzymes were also noted in AL group. Moreover, in AL group release of elastase and MPO positively correlated (P < .01) with grades of lameness. These findings revealed the mutual relation between studied parameters and obtained results may be useful in the development of new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of acute and chronic joint disorders in horses.     

Advances in surgical treatment of septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint in cattle: a review

This review describes the indications for surgical treatment of distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ) infection in cattle and presents an overview of former surgical methods that have been modified for current use, including arthrotomy, resection of the distal sesamoid bone, resection of the DIJ and digital amputation. The post-operative life span, reasons for culling, pros and cons of claw-preserving techniques versus digital amputation, and pain management in general are also discussed. It would appear that severe claw diseases that result in septic arthritis of the DIJ do not necessarily lead to a reduced life span if cows are adequately treated and thorough aftercare is provided.     

Intraarticular Hyaluronic Acid Supplementation in the Horse: The Role of Molecular Weight

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a primary cause of lameness and loss of use in the equine industry. Treatment of affected joints is aimed at reducing synovial inflammation, halting the inflammatory cascade within the joint, minimizing articular cartilage breakdown, and reducing pain. Treatments of affected joints commonly used by equine practitioners include intraarticular hyaluronic acid (HA). Consideration of the average molecular weight (MW) and concentration of the HA product may dictate what product is selected. The purpose of this review is to briefly summarize for the practitioner the scientific data available evaluating the significance of hyaluronic acid molecular weight with regard to efficacy and duration of action in horses when administered intraarticularly. In summary, the beneficial effects of HA supplementation are attributable to the anti-inflammatory effects, improvement in viscoelastic properties of the synovial fluid, and interaction with the synovial membrane affecting pain transmission and joint metabolism. As this review shows, the importance of HA molecular weight with regard to efficacy of treating synovial inflammation and osteoarthritis has not been clearly demonstrated, and results are conflicting. Until there is a full understanding of the mechanism of action of HA within the joint, the veterinarian's choice of HA products will continue to be based on clinical preference. Additional studies directly comparing products of different HA average molecular weights and formulations in a controlled in vivo setting are needed to assess the importance of HA molecular weight in treating joint disease.