Abstract
The use of intra-articular corticosteroids for traumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis
(OA) is common in the horse. The beneficial and deleterious effects of the principal
corticosteroids used betamethasone esters (Celestone [Soluspan], methylprednisolone
acetate [Depo Medrol], and triamcinolone acetonide [TA] [Vetalog or Kenalog]) have
been defined for the horse. While TA has both disease-modifying as well as symptom-modifying
effects, methyl prednisolone acetate has deleterious effects on the articular cartilage.
Studies in traumatically injured joints show the same rationale (suppression of deleterious
mediators associated with inflammation) and positive results from the use of TA in
both equine and human patients. Studies in the experimental equine OA model allow
for more in-depth knowledge of disease-modifying effects. Recent insights allow us
to understand posttraumatic OA as an early consequence of joint injury that may require
a more aggressive and proactive treatment approach than commonly applied to date.
Keywords
intra-articular corticosteroids - knee pain - horses - equine and human - athlete
