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  Discussion on Surpass improves joint health
Author Message
Member:
dres

Posted on Saturday, Jul 26, 2008 - 9:52 am:

Just read the below on one of the Bulletin Boards.. Dr. O any comments.. ??

Quote:
Osteoarthritis medications were a hot topic at the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., with four presentations on various medications during one half-day session alone. In particular, David Frisbie, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Colorado State University (CSU), discussed a study comparing clinical efficacy and joint health parameters of Surpass (topical liposomal diclofenac cream) to those of the commonly used oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication phenylbutazone (Bute).

Does Surpass really work to improve joint health, or is it just another way of delivering a painkiller? CSU researchers set out to answer that question.

In 24 horses, carpal (knee) osteoarthritis was induced in one knee, and the horses were split into one control and two treatment groups. One treatment group got 7.2 g of Surpass on the affected joint every 12 hours for five days, while the other received 2 g of Bute orally once a day for five days. Horses were exercised on a high-speed treadmill daily, and lameness, tissue scores, biochemical scores, and biomarker scores were used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.

Frisbie reported that the Bute- and Surpass-treated limbs got significantly better in terms of lameness scores. The cartilage glycosaminoglycan content in the Surpass-treated limbs was better than with Bute (meaning the cartilage was better hydrated and lubricated). There were also improvements in bone sclerosis (hardening) of the radial carpal bone and total erosion scores in the Surpass-treated joints.

"Both Surpass and Bute had symptom-modifying effects, but Surpass alone had disease-modifying (curing) effects," Frisbie summarized. "Diclofenac liposomal cream (Surpass) applied to a joint with experimental osteoarthritis provides a significantly better outcome than a similar joint treated with systemic phenylbutazone."

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2008 - 10:04 am:

Interesting finding Ann and I will keep my eye open for the whole paper. I wonder why they chose once daily therapy with bute when it is known to require twice daily for best anti-inflammatory effects? However there has been one other report of bute and decreases in the concentration of some of the joint mucopolysaccarides. It does appear in the case of acute joint injury condition Surpass would be the treatment of choice with the only downside being the minor skin irritation occasionally reported.

I wonder what is the significance of this in light of the condition most of us deal with: already established DJD. We know that in the chronic condition that Surpass is not as effective as bute at relieving pain at least at recommended doses. But will Surpass better slow the progress of DJD than bute. This study suggests it but the acute and chronic condition of arthritis are very different entities. In general with hock and knee arthritis I have not been impressed with Surpass and usually find it will not relieve the lameness of moderate DJD as well as bute. I have to say I am moving toward the use of a coxib class NSAID: firocoxib with the use of the dog product being economical.
DrO
Member:
sondra

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2008 - 8:15 pm:

Interesting info.

I wonder Dr. O if you have any knowledge about whether Traumeel homeopathic topical is at all effective in controlling arthritic pain in the horse's knee or lower limbs?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 8:09 am:

No Sondra I don't know. Can you tell me what is in it? Start a new discussion with your question and description and it will be easier for others to find the information in the future.
DrO
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