Arthramid Vet

Product details

• Administration

  Arthramid® Vet is for intra-articular use only and must be administered by a qualified veterinarian familiar with the procedure in the intended species. Animals may be sedated to minimize stress and discomfort. Strict aseptic conditions must be followed at all times.

  A 16-23G needle is placed intra-articularly. Synovial fluid should be observed. Care should be taken to avoid unnecessary damage of the intra-articular tissue, as this may result in diffuse swelling lasting for 24 to 48 hours. Remove the protective tip cap from the Arthramid® Vet syringe. Attach the syringe firmly into the Luer lock socket on the needle. Make sure the syringe is correctly mounted. If more than 1 mL of Arthramid® Vet is required for the joint, detach the empty Arthramid® Vet syringe from the hypodermic needle and repeat the process until the required dose is delivered.

• Dosages - Equine

  Due to Arthramid® Vet’s unique mode of action, the following dosage recommendations have been made based on observed clinical responses to treatment;

  • Distal Interphalangeal (DIP/ Coffin)- 1-2 mLs
  • Metacarpo/tarso-phalangeal (Fetlock)- 1-2 mLs
  • Carpus- 1-2 mLs
  • Tarso-metatarsal (TMT)/ Distal-intertarsal (DIT)- 1 mL
  • Tarsocrural- 2-3 mLs
  • Shoulder- 3 mLs
  • Stifles- 1-2 mL per compartment or 3-4mLs for medial-femorotibial joint

  Published clinical trials indicate horses that partially respond to initial treatment may benefit from a second dose at 4 to 6 weeks later.

  Safety Studies indicate that concurrent treatment of multiple joints in the same animal is safe.

• Mode of action – not all polyacrylamide hydrogels are the same

  Polyacrylamide hydrogel products, although often considered equal, have clear differences in composition, manufacturing quality and injection techniques as well as their ability to interact with surrounding tissues. These characteristics determine the safety and effectiveness of each hydrogel.

  Upon injection into joints, Arthramid® Vet, a uniquely cross-linked 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel, adheres to the synovial lining through its ability to exchange water molecules. Over a period of 14 days, the gel becomes integrated into the synovial lining and its immediate surrounding tissue of the inner capsule by a combination of cell migration and vessel ingrowth forming a thick, cushion-like membrane consisting of vessel integrated gel covered by a new and hypercellular synovial cell lining.

  As a result, Arthramid® Vet has an augmentation effect on both the joint capsule and synovium. It increases the elasticity and tensile strength of the capsule, improving its capacity to transfer load. It is believed that this augmentation and cushioning causes a subsequent reduction in mechanoreceptor activation in the capsule itself. It also causes the formation of a new and hypercellular synovial cell lining, improving the quality of synovial fluid within the joint itself. These actions both help reduce synovitis and its successively deleterious effects.

  Unlike other hydrogels, Arthramid® Vet becomes fully integrated into the surrounding tissue (rather than encapsulated) and is therefore long-lasting. Arthramid® Vet does not elicit a foreign body reaction or harbour infection. Arthramid® Vet is non-pyrogenic, neuro innocuous and contains no heavy metals.

• Case selection

  Understanding the complexity of disease processes associated with joint pain remains a constant dilemma in clinical practice and as with any disease process, an accurate diagnosis is essential.

  Arthritis describes inflammation of a joint and can occur after single or repetitive episodes of trauma. The term incorporates synovitis, capsulitis, and osteoarthritis (OA).

  These pathological conditions are a group of overlapping distinct diseases which may have different etiologies, but with similar biologic, morphologic, and clinical outcomes.

  Although conventional concepts of OA emphasize the direct and predominant involvement of cartilage and bone in OA development, it is increasingly recognized that the synovium also contributes to the central pathophysiological event of cartilage matrix depletion.

  Conditions that respond to treatment with Arthramid® Vet include acute and chronic synovitis, osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease. Cases suitable for treatment with Arthramid® Vet are those in which lameness caused by one the above conditions is definitively diagnosed and localized to the joint by a combination of clinical examination, intra-articular analgesia, radiography, arthroscopy, ultrasound, MRI, CT and/or Scintigraphy.  It is essential that anamnesis of data of ongoing infection, concomitant medication, surgery or potential fracture is reviewed prior to injection to prevent possible adverse reactions or use of the product for conditions other than for which it is indicated.

• Case management

  Following the procedure, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be administered to decrease the risk of infection.

• Post injection instructions

  An ointment can be applied on the injection site immediately after treatment. A cold pack can be applied on the injection site in case of an oedema. A bandage can be applied around the injection site if possible. Local or systemic corticosteroids should not be administered to the animal within two weeks of injection of Arthramid® Vet, since this may mask a possible infection. The animal should be rested for 48 hours after the treatment.

  Some animals can develop pain within the first few hours post- administration. In addition, there is also a slight risk of haematoma and mild oedema at the site of injection. Within 1-2 weeks after treatment there is a slight risk that the animal may develop a transient oedema and tenderness at the treatment site as the tissue integration is occurring. If not caused by infection, these reactions are self-limiting and will resolve within a couple of weeks. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be administered for pain relief and to reduce swelling. Allergic reactions to Arthramid® Vet have never been observed.

  As with any intra-articular procedure, an Arthramid® Vet injection carries a risk of infection. Standard precautions and strict aseptic injection technique is essential. In the event of infection, the use of broad spectrum antibiotics is recommended as a first line treatment. Any use of corticosteroids is contraindicated in case of infection.

• Information to the owner

  The owner of the animal should be informed about the indications, expected results, contraindications, precautions, warnings and potential complications. The owner of the animal should be advised that in case of complications, the veterinarian who performed the Arthramid® Vet injections should be contacted immediately for necessary treatment.

• Storage

  Arthramid® Vet must be stored protected from direct sunlight. Do not freeze. Do not store unsealed syringes for later use.

• Information For Use (IFU)

  Please click on the link below to download the Arthramid® Vet Information For Use document.

  Download >