The Influence of Sequential Intratendinous Sodium Hyaluronate on Tendon Healing in Horses

Summary

Acute tendinitis was bilaterally created in the mid-metacarpal region of the superficial digital flexor tendons of six horses with intratendinous collagenase administration. The collagenase-induced lesion, in one superficial flexor tendon of each horse, was injected 48 h later with 10.0 mg of sodium hyaluronate (1.0 ml) under ultrasound guidance. In order to serve as a control, the lesion in the contralateral superficial digital flexor tendon was injected with 1.0 ml of phosphate buffered 0.9% sodium chloride. Similar injections were made at weekly intervals for six weeks. Differences could not be detected between sequential sodium hyaluronate treated tendons and control tendons using ultrasonographic, lameness, gross pathological nor histological evaluations.

Collagenase-induced superficial digital flexor tendinitis lesions were treated with repeated, sequential intratendinous administration of sodium hyaluronate in six horses. A significant difference in size of the tendon lesions, tendon enlargement, lameness, or tendon healing was not detected between repeated, sequential intratendinous sodium hyaluronate treated and control tendons. The multiple intratendinous injection is not recommended for horses with flexor tendinitis.

Keywords

Tendinitis - sequential sodium hyaluronate - hyaluronic acid

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