Equine studies
Outcome measures regarding symptom-modifying changes were described in
five equine studies (Kay et al., 2008; de Grauw et al., 2016; Ekstrand
et al., 2019; Kearney et al., 2021; Clifford et al., 2021), and these
included lameness, joint circumference, edema or effusion, range of
motion (ROM), response to flexion test, skin temperature, and composite
welfare score.
TA improved lameness by one or more grades in two studies with
follow-ups of 11 days and three weeks (Kay et al., 2008; de Grauw et
al., 2016). In another study, most horses treated with TA did not show
improvement in lameness, with some even worsening at a 6-week follow-up
(Clifford et al., 2021). Similarly, joint effusion showed improvements
in a shorter-term study (three weeks) (de Grauw et al., 2016) with no
significant changes for more extended periods (six weeks) (Clifford et
al., 2021). Improvements in joint edema and ROM were reported following
TA injection in one paper (11 days) (Kay et al., 2008) with no changes
in joint circumference (Kay et al., 2008; Kearney et al., 2021) or
composite welfare score (five weeks) (Kearney et al., 2021). Response to
flexion was assessed by one study with a maximum of 6-week follow-up,
and the authors reported no changes or worsening of response in most
cases (Clifford et al., 2021).
DEX was assessed by one study, which demonstrated improved lameness
(0.5–1 grade, 30-hour follow-up); however, the authors found no changes
in joint circumference or skin temperature (74-hour follow-up) (Ekstrand
et al., 2019). There were no studies reporting symptom-modifying
osteoarthritic (SMOA) effects following a single IA injection of other
corticosteroid types in horses.