Equine Osteoarthritis: Comparing Treatments

Chronic concussion and trauma can lead to osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that can sideline horses permanently if not addressed. Several medications earmarked for osteoarthritis offer some relief to horses suffering from this painful condition, yet none are curative. Recently, a handful of traditional treatments for osteoarthritis were compared to assess their effectiveness.

The three selected treatments included:

1. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans injected into the joint (intra-articular);
2. Combination of the corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drug triamcinolone acetate (TA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) injected intra-articularly; and
3. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein.

In a study involving 100 Standardbred racehorses with spontaneous fetlock injuries, the three traditional therapies were evaluated to determine which, if any, altered the progression of osteoarthritis.^* Clinical examinations (radiographs, lameness examinations, flexion tests) were performed at the start of the study and again six months after treatment. Synovial fluid and serum markers for bone and cartilage turnover (e.g., cartilage-breakdown products) were evaluated on those same two occasions.

“All treatments resulted in significantly improved lameness scores and flexion,” explained Peter Huntington, B.V.Sc., M.A.C.V.Sc., director of nutrition at Kentucky Equine Research.

Only horses on the TA/HA showed improved radiographic scores. Huntington noted that radiographs may not paint the whole picture as they do not show the condition of the joint fluid or cartilage.

“Oral joint health supplements such as hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate also benefit affected animals and can be easily administered in feed on a daily basis,” he said. “These products can lubricate the joint, contribute to joint fluid viscoelasticity, inhibit cartilage breakdown, and stimulate cartilage repair or production.”

Only supplements manufactured using appropriate high-quality ingredients and quality-control strategies should be offered. Choosing a poor-quality supplement will delay treatment, potentially leaving the disease to progress and causing the horse discomfort.

^*Bertuglia A, I. Basano, E. Pagliara, N.B. Bottegaro, G. Spinella, and M. Bullone. 2021. Effect of intravenous tiludronate disodium administration on the radiographic progression of osteoarthritis of the fetlock joint in Standardbred racehorses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 259(6):651-661.