Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of lameness and reduced performance in horses, affecting an estimated 60% of equine athletes at some stage of their lives.
The condition not only impacts the horse’s well-being but also places a significant financial burden on owners.
Veterinary treatments, joint supplements, and lost performance time can amount to thousands of dollars annually.
Horse owners should be aware of the following signs of OA:
Identifying these signs early can lead to more effective treatment and improved outcomes.
Delaying treatment for osteoarthritis can lead to irreversible joint damage, chronic pain, and reduced quality of life for your horse.
Arthramid offers a proven solution that addresses the underlying causes of OA, restoring joint health and function for long-term benefits.
Talk to Your Veterinarian About Arthramid for Horses.
Arthramid is a patented 2.5% injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel (iPAAG). Administered through intra-articular joint injection, it integrates into the synovium of the joint, improving function and resolving lameness.
Arthramid goes beyond conventional therapies, employing dynamic bio-scaffold technology to safely and sustainably manage osteoarthritis by restoring the biomechanics of the joint.
Arthramid is a biocompatible, non-resorbable injectable hydrogel designed for intra-articular use in horses and dogs (as well as humans). Extensive research and clinical trials have demonstrated its safety and efficacy in managing joint lameness caused by diseases such as osteoarthritis. Arthramid works by integrating into the synovial membrane, providing biomechanical support and reducing inflammation, pain, and lameness. It is safe for use in multiple joints within the same animal and can be administered repeatedly at intervals of 6 to 12 months if clinically indicated
For optimal results, Arthramid should be administered by a qualified veterinarian under strict aseptic conditions. Post-injection, animals typically show gradual improvement in lameness within the first week, with continued progress over the following weeks.
There are no observed side-effects to Arthramid. There is a slight risk (<1:2,500) that your horse may develop a mild transient oedema or tenderness at the treatment site as the tissue integration is occurring. If not caused by infection, these reactions are usually self-limiting and will resolve within a couple of weeks. If this does occur always seek veterinary advice.
Arthramid can be used in any synovial joint showing signs of osteoarthritis, including pain, swelling, reduced range of motion, or lameness confirmed by diagnostic analgesia (nerve blocks), or imaging like X-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI. It is effective in both early stages (e.g., synovitis and capsular stiffness) and advanced or chronic cases of OA.
Before injection, it is important to review the animal’s medical history, including any signs of infection, current medications, recent surgeries, or fractures, to ensure safe and appropriate use.
2.5% iPAAG targets the synovial membrane directly. Once injected, it integrates into the synovial membrane within approximately two weeks.
By restoring joint homeostasis, Arthramid delivers long-term benefits to horses and their owners.
The synovium—the inner lining of the joint capsule—produces joint fluid essential for cushioning, reducing friction, and nourishing cartilage. When damaged, synovial cells produce lower-quality fluid, leading to inflammation, synovitis, capsulitis, and osteoarthritis (OA).
Arthramid is effective in both early and late stages of osteoarthritis and the best results are obtained by treating early in the disease process. This allows the product to slow the deterioration of the disease and give your horse a greater chance of continuing in training and meeting its full performance potential.
After treatment, rest the horse for 48-72 hours and plan a reduced-impact workload for up to 2 weeks to allow full integration of the 2.5% iPAAG. A follow-up examination at 4 to 6 weeks is advised to assess the response, with a top-up dose administered if needed.
Horses often show gradual improvement in lameness within the first week, with continued progress over the following weeks. Repeat doses of Arthramid can be safely given every 6 to 12 months if required.
We always recommend stall rest for 48-72 hours immediately after treatment.
Then typically;
Hand walk 5 days.
Week 2: walking (by hand or under rider if lameness permits) for 20 minutes + 3 minutes trot.
Week 3: walking 20 min + 6 min trot
Week 4 walking 20 min + 9 min trot.
Week 5 forward: if lame-free, start canter exercises and a return to normal work is expected by 6 weeks. If the lameness has not resolved consult with your veterinarian to reassess the diagnosis.
We recommend a 48-72 hour rest period immediately after the procedure followed by 2 weeks of light exercise.
Swimming, water treadmills and dry treadmills are ideal during this period. After this initial period of lower impact exercise, you should be able to train and compete your horse to the extent you wish, depending on the disease and the response to treatment.
Yes. To avoid any interruption of the training programme it is best to plan the treatment in advance of exercise and the earlier in the preparation the better. However, as long as the above post-treatment recommendations are followed treatment can be at any stage.
Clinical studies in racing thoroughbreds demonstrate Arthramid is more effective (83.3%) at treating lameness, versus corticosteroids such as Triamcinolone (27.3%), and Hyaluronic Acid (40%) alone.
Keep in mind that Arthramid has a different mode of action and requires 2-4 weeks to allow its full integration into the joint. Patience at this stage will result in a better and longer-lasting soundness and a more cost-effective treatment option of arthritis in for your horse.
Note. Veterinarians may still consider using other IA medications with the treatment of Arthramid taking place 2-4 weeks before or afterwards, depending on what condition is being treated. Use of NSAID’s with Arthramid may also be useful and carries no contra-indications.
Arthramid begins to work immediately but it takes 2-4 weeks to fully integrate into the joint.
Lameness will gradually subside over this period. It is important to remember that Arthramid does not treat the symptoms of lameness (e.g. masking the pain) rather, it works to remove the underlying cause of the lameness. It requires a more patient approach but provides a superior and longer-lasting effect to conventional treatments.
In most cases, only one treatment of Arthramid is required in a campaign or season. In about 15% of lameness cases (partial responders), a second top-up treatment may be required. It is very common that horses remain lame-free over the course of several competitive seasons. Your veterinarian will be able to explain dose rates as these vary between different joints and the severity of the arthritis.
Arthramid is a registered veterinary medicine for intra-articular use only. It is only available from your veterinarian and must be administered only by qualified veterinarians.
Arthramid can be used in any synovial joint showing signs of osteoarthritis, including pain, swelling, reduced range of motion, or lameness confirmed by diagnostic analgesia (nerve blocks) or imaging like X-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI. It is effective in both early stages (e.g., synovitis and capsular stiffness) and advanced or chronic cases of OA.
Before injection, it is important to review the animal’s medical history, including any signs of infection, current medications, recent surgeries, or fractures, to ensure safe and appropriate use.
No. Arthramid is not indicated in the treatment of sacroiliac disease in horses. The sacroiliac joint is what is called a ‘synarthrosis’ joint that is essentially immobile. This type of joint provides for a strong connection between the adjacent bones, and enables transfer of the load from the hind limbs to the spine. Arthramid is indicated in synovial or arthrodial and high motion joints.
Sacroiliac disease is often managed successfully with a controlled exercise programme, addressing underlying lameness issues in the distal limb, addressing any back or tack/ rider issues, and with the use of corticosteroids and/or anti-inflammatories.
