EFFECT OF INTRAARTICULAR SODIUM HYALURONA TE (HYONATE(R)) IN EQUINE JOINT DISEASE - A CLINICAL-TRIAL

In 41 horses with joint diseases the effect of intra-articular adminis tration of sodium hyaluronate (Hyonate(R)) was evaluated. The selected horses predominantly exhibited lameness originating from the distal i nterphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints. Intra-articular anaesth esia determined that the pain was localised in the joint, whereas radi ographic changes were either absent or minimal. Horses were treated in tra-articularly on three successive occasions with 2 to 4 ml Hyonate(R ) with a one week interval between treatments. The horses were box-res ted during treatment. In 51.5% of the horses, improvement or disappear ance of the lameness was observed: 19% did not become lame before two to six weeks, 13.5% before three to six months and 19% before six mont hs. Some horses worked on a lower level or were rested after treatment for a certain period of time. Results were less satisfactory in joint s with minor radiographic changes as compared to joints exhibiting no radiographic changes. Lameness which had only existed for a short peri od before the initial treatment, was more likely to be subject to a fa vourable outcome.