Veterinarians: Get your copy of our 24 page white paper today, covering Treatment of Joint Lameness, Pathophysiology, Manufacturing, Mechanism of Action, Clinical Safety and Putting it into Practice.
Arthramid
Clinical Studies
PROVEN SCIENCE.
PROVEN RESULTS.
PROVEN RESULTS.
Discover the Science Behind Arthramid® 2.5% iPAAG
Arthramid is trusted by veterinarians around the world to treat joint lameness in animals, including horses and dogs. Backed by multiple published studies from leading institutions and with thousands of successful treatments across a range of species and disciplines, Arthramid is a proven, safe, and effective option for managing osteoarthritis and joint-related conditions in veterinary medicine.
Clinical Studies: Research OA Papers
2025
October 2025
Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Intra-Articular Injection with 2.5% Polyacrylamide Hydrogel in 18 Dogs with Elbow Osteoarthritis
Corral J, Levine D, Barnhard J, Tringali A, Green M, Brunke M
Key Clinical Outcome: Elbow OA (n=18): significant improvements across CBPI PIS, mGCPS, CSU pain scales; minimal AEs; labs
stable.
October 2025
Owner-Reported Safety and Efficacy of 2.5% Polyacrylamide Hydrogel (iPAAG) Intra-Articular Injections in Dogs with Osteoarthritis
Jennifer A. Barnhard BVetMed, MS, Ashley A. Tringali BS, Nina C. Caldwell BS, Kathryn R. Webb BS, David Levine PT, DPT, MPH, PhD, Arielle Pechette Markley DVM, DACVSMR, Abigail Shoben PhD, Megan M. Green DVM, and Matthew W. Brunke DVM, DACVSMR.
This study evaluates owner-reported safety and efficacy of 2.5% Polyacrylamide Hydrogel (2.5% iPAAG®) intra-articular injections in dogs diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA).
July 2025
Retrospective analysis of the long-term use of 2.5% injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel (2.5% iPAAG) in a Thoroughbred racehorse practice: Safety on 701 horses, Efficacy on 205 horses
de Clifford, L., Vallance, S. A., Wood, E., Gieseg, M., Lowe, J.N.
Key Clinical Outcome: Long Term Safety confirmed: 701 TBs/2,312 injections/ 15,959 races/ 6 years: AEs 0.13%; CMI 0.199/1,000 starts (< industry 0.52); Timeform ratings improved; mean retreat ~234 days. Mean time to race following treatment ~40 days.
June 2025
An injectable 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide hydrogel (2.5 iPAAG) demonstrates no neurotoxicity in human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived iCell® GlutaNeurons
Walmod PS, Kusk P, Jøhnk N, Ankorina-Stark I and Essex A (2025)
Key Clinical Outcome: Human iPSC neurons: up to 20% v/v 2.5% iPAAG® for 96 h shows no cytotoxicity/neurotoxicity; neurite network preserved.
January 2025
The concurrent use of 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel and betamethasone esters for intra-articular injection is well tolerated in 10 healthy horses
Whitaker B, Barnhard JA, Webb KR, Levine D, Green MM, Vieira MR.
Key Clinical Outcome: Concurrent 2.5% iPAAG® + betamethasone esters in healthy horses: well tolerated; no AEs.
2024
December 2024
Review of intra-articular 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel, a new concept in the management of osteoarthritis
Tnibar, A.
Reinforces that PAAG formulations differ in manufacturing and composition; data apply to Contura’s 2.5% iPAAG® manufactured in GMP facility.
February 2024
Histologic and cytologic changes in normal equine joints after injection with 2.5% injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel reveal low-level macrophage-driven foreign body response
Lowe, J., de Clifford, L., Julian, A., & Koene, M.
BVSc jason@imsvet.com, Leigh de Clifford
BVSc, Alan Julian
DACVP, and Marc Koene
DVM
Histology: 2.5% iPAAG® integrates into sub intima by day 14; normal cell counts; low level transient macrophage response; no fibrosis/granulomas.
2021
January 2021
A double-blinded positive control study comparing the relative efficacy of 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) against triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and sodium hyaluronate (HA) in the management of middle carpal joint lameness in racing Thoroughbreds
de Clifford, L.D., Lowe, J.N., McKellar, C.D., Bolwell, C., and David, F. (2021). Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2021
Key Clinical Outcomes: Middle carpal lameness: 2.5% iPAAG® 83.3% resolved at 6 weeks vs 27.3% (TA) and 40% (HA).
2019
July 2019
Use of a 2.5% Cross-Linked Polyacrylamide Hydrogel in the Management of Joint Lameness in a Population of Flat Racing Thoroughbreds: A Pilot Study
de Clifford, L.D., Lowe, J.N., McKellar, C.D., Bolwell, C., and David, F. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2019
Osteoarthritis (OA) is cited as the most important musculoskeletal disorder in both humans and horses [1]. Several medications have been evaluated in the treatment of horses with OA, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
2017
October 2017
Mechanisms of Action of an Intraarticular 2.5% Polyacrylamide Hydrogel (Arthramid Vet) in a Goat Model of Osteoarthritis: Preliminary Observations
Tnibar, Aziz & Persson, Ann & Jensen, Henrik.
Key Clinical Outcomes: Normal nerve morphology; increased joint capsule load transfer; early viscoelastic/mechanical mechanism evidence.
June 2017
An observational assessment of Arthramid® : A novel intra-articular injection and its relationship with veterinary physiotherapy on patient outcomes in Labrador Retrievers with elbow osteoarthritis.
Harkin, C. L., & Mansbridge, S. C.
4 week improvements. Ref: Research project (unpublished)
2016
July 2016
Synovial incorporation of polyacrylamide hydrogel after injection into normal and osteoarthritic animal joints
Christensen, L., Illigen, K.E., Hansen, M., Sarvaa, R., and Conogham, P.G. (2016).
Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) is a non-toxic, non-degradable synthetic product, used for years in the augmentation of soft tissues. Preliminary results in animals and humans have suggested long-lasting beneficial effects on symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA).
July 2016
Intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel for the treatment of 20 horses with non-responsive osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joints: a prospective study
Bathe, A.P., Read, R.M., and Briggs, C. (2016).
Our objective was to determine the effect of an omega-3 fatty acid rich diet (JM) with and without rehabilitation therapy (R) postoperatively on radiographic bone healing, radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) progression,
2015
March 2015
An international multi-centre prospective study on the efficacy of an intraarticular polyacrylamide hydrogel in horses with osteoarthritis: a 24 months follow-up
Tnibar, Aziz & schougaard, hans & Camitz, Linus & Rasmussen, Jonas & Koene, Marc & Jahn, Werner & Markussen, Bo. (2015).
Key Clinical Outcomes: Multicentre prospective (n=43), 24 month follow up. 82.5% lame free at 24 months after a single injection; no AEs
2014
April 2014
A controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of an intra-articular Polyacrylamide Hydrogel in horses with osteoarthritis
Tnibar, Aziz & Schoogaard, Hans & Koene, Marc & Christensen, Lise & Markussen, Bo. (2014)
Key Clinical Outcomes: iPAAG soundness 55/65/75% at 1/3/6 mo vs 15/40/35% with TA/HA; p=0.001.
2012
November 2012
Intra-articular application of polyacrylamide hydrogel as a treatment of osteoarthritis in the distal interphalangeal joint: case series with 12 horses
Janssen I, Koene M, Lischer C
Key Clinical Outcomes: 67% lame free at 6 months; no AEs reported
Arthramid White Papers
EQUINE WHITE PAPER
CANINE WHITE PAPER
Veterinarians: Get your copy of our 21 page white paper today, covering Treatment of Joint Lameness, Pathophysiology, Manufacturing, Mechanism of Action, Clinical Safety and Putting it into Practice.
Testimonials
Dr. Dan Carter
COUNTRYSIDE VETERINARY HOSPITAL - COVINGTON, GA
“Arthramid is a game changer for all equine athletes. It all starts in the synovium with synovitis and capsulitis, before we get to osteoarthritis. I routinely tell my horse owners, ‘save the synovium, save the joint’.”
Dr. Vern Dryden
BUR OAK SPORTS MEDICINE & LAMENESS, LEXINGTON, KY
“It’s given me another tool in my arsenal to effectively manage all stages of equine osteoarthritis, especially those horses with equine metabolic disease.”
Dr Marc Koene
TIERKLINIK LÜSCHE GMBH EQUINE HOSPITAL – NORTHER GERMANY
"We have injected over a thousand horses and have found it to be very safe. It has been a major game-changer in the way we treat OA in our patients.”
Dr Charley McColough
PALM BEACH EQUINE - WELLINGTON, FL
"By incorporating Arthramid into my practice, I’m able to use far fewer steroids while still achieving excellent results, which gives me greater peace of mind for the long-term well-being of the horses under my care."
Dr Bob Peters
MCKINLAY & PETERS EQUINE HOSPITAL - NEWMAN LAKE, WA
"In my opinion, it is efficacious, long-lasting and lower risk to cartilage than many alternatives."