Oral hyaluronan gel reduces post operative tarsocrural effusion in the yearling Thoroughbred.
Authors: Bergin B J, Pierce S W, Bramlage L R, Stromberg A
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Oral Hyaluronan for Post-Operative Tarsocrural Effusion in Yearlings Osteochondritis dissecans of the hock remains a significant concern in young Thoroughbreds, with post-operative joint effusion complicating recovery and potentially affecting long-term outcomes. This randomised controlled trial evaluated whether oral hyaluronan gel could reduce synovial effusion following arthroscopic OCD removal, comparing 27 treated joints (100 mg hyaluronan daily for 30 days) against 30 placebo controls in 48 yearlings with unilateral or bilateral tarsal lesions. At the 30-day assessment point, the hyaluronan-treated group demonstrated substantially lower effusion scores (mean 0.67 versus 2.05 on a 0–5 scale; P ≤0.0001), with consistent benefits observed across different lesion locations and sizes. Whilst intra-articular and intravenous hyaluronan use is established practice, this represents the first objective evidence supporting oral administration for managing post-operative joint inflammation in horses—findings that may offer a practical, non-invasive adjunct to conventional post-surgical protocols, particularly valuable for managing multiple affected joints or when clients seek to optimise recovery outcomes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Oral hyaluronan gel is an effective adjunctive treatment for managing post-operative joint swelling in young Thoroughbreds following tarsal OCD surgery, reducing effusion by approximately 67% compared to placebo
- •Consider recommending 30-day oral HA supplementation post-operatively as a non-invasive, systemic approach to minimize tarsocrural joint effusion and support recovery
- •This evidence supports the use of oral HA preparations for post-surgical joint management, though further studies on long-term soundness outcomes would strengthen clinical recommendations
Key Findings
- •Oral hyaluronan (100 mg for 30 days) reduced mean post-operative effusion scores to 0.67 compared to 2.05 in placebo group (P ≤ 0.0001)
- •HA treatment efficacy was consistent across all three OCD lesion locations (distal intermediate ridge of tibia, distal lateral trochlear ridge of talus, and medial malleolus)
- •Oral HA demonstrated objective efficacy in reducing joint effusion following arthroscopic OCD removal in yearling Thoroughbreds