EFFECT OF HYALURONIC-ACID IN NATURALLY-OCCURRING AND EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED OSTEO-ARTHRITIS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (4) , 568-574
Abstract
Effect of intraarticular injections of hyaluronic acid was evaluated in 2 groups of horses, using force plates to assess quantitatively the degree of lameness observed. In 6 horses chip fractures were created surgically on the dorsomedial aspects of both radial carpal bones. After the horses were trained for 30 days, 40 mg of hyaluron ic acid was injected intraarticularly into the limb showing the greater degree of lameness. Horses were worked for 2 more wk and then were evaluated. A highly significant (P < 0.01) increase in weight bearing on the treated limb was observed. Ten horses with clinical unilateral front limb lameness involving a single joint were treated with 40 mg of hyaluronic acid. The day after the injection, the horses resumed training and were examinwd 2 wk later. At that time the horses were free from observable lameness. This was corroborated by force plate data. According to their trainers, the horses'' performance improved markedly after the injection and remained improved. Seemingly hyaluronic acid was beneficial when injected into the arthritic joints of these 2 groups of horses.