Intra-articular application of polyacrylamide hydrogel as a treatment of osteoarthritis in the distal interphalangeal joint: case series with 12 horses
Treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in the distal interphalangeal joint is a challenge if conventional intraarticular medication fails. A new treatment approach is the intraarticular application of Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAHG). This substance is being used successfully in plastic and aesthetic surgery in humans with long-lasting effect as filler in soft tissue. In this case series of 12 horses 1 ml Polyacrylamide hydrogel was applied in the affected distal interphalangeal joint. All horses showed for more than three months a chronic-recurrent lameness on one or both forelimbs due to osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint. Previously, the horses were unsuccessfully medicated intraarticularly with one or several drugs such as hyaluronic acid, glucocorticoids, and/or autologous conditioned serum. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis based on the abolition of lameness with nerve blocks and intraarticular anaesthesia, as well as radiological and MRI-findings, respectively. Clinical follow-up examination was performed after one and six months. No adverse reactions could be observed in any of the 12 treated horses. Six months after treatment 8 horses were without lameness, 2 horses showed an improvement and 2 horses were unchanged.
