Comparison of intra-articular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution with rest alone for treatment of horses with traumatic arthritis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To compare effects of intra-articular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution with rest alone for treatment of horses with traumatic arthritis.

ANIMALS:

38 Standardbred horses with moderate to severe lameness that resulted from traumatic arthritis.

PROCEDURE:

Horses were stratified on the basis of number of affected joints. In each stratum, horses were allocated randomly to treatment groups (intraarticular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution vs rest only). Treatment was for a period of 3 weeks. Horses were inspected weekly with a final examination 2 to 4 weeks after completion of treatment.

RESULTS:

Mean lameness index was significantly lower during the 3-week treatment period and the entire study period for the NaCl-injected group. A significant decrease in the lameness index during the first 3-week treatment period also was detected for the rest-only group; however, the lameness index increased significantly for this group during the follow-up period, and an overall significant decrease was not detected. Comparison of the lameness index curve indicated a difference in favor of NaCl injection, with a significant difference between the 2 groups at final examination. Nine horses became sound during treatment with rest only, but 6 relapsed before final examination. In the NaCl-injected group, 5 of 10 sound horses relapsed.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Intra-articular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution was beneficial in horses with traumatic arthritis. Use of rest alone for a limited period was inadequate for treatment of young Standardbred horses with traumatic arthritis.

• Authors: G Gaustad, N I Dolvik, S Larsen
• Journal: American journal of veterinary research (Am J Vet Res) Vol. 60 Issue 9 Pg. 1117-21 (Sep 1999) ISSN: 0002-9645 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10490082 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Sodium Chloride

Topics

• Animals
• Arthritis (drug therapy, veterinary)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Horse Diseases (drug therapy, etiology)
• Horses (injuries)
• Injections, Intra-Articular (veterinary)
• Joints (injuries, physiopathology)
• Lameness, Animal (etiology)
• Male
• Physical Conditioning, Animal
• Rest
• Sodium Chloride (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Wounds and Injuries (complications, veterinary)