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


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


METHODS
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
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.
Gaustad
G
G
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo.
Dolvik
N I
NI
Larsen
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000662:veterinary; D007596:Joints / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D012146:Rest; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary
D012965:Sodium Chloride