Anyone try this?
I’ve used it twice with great results, in a hind fetlock. I followed the post-injection protocol per the manufacturer and got 15 months from the first injection, and we’re coming up on about a year with the second with no indication that it needs to be done again yet.
My vet has had a number of clients use it, including currently racing horses who do not follow the rehab protocol and are still happy with the results.
My horse’s fetlock issue is fairly mild - synovitis (pre-arthritis, inflammation but no arthritic changes yet on xray), but it was causing him issues. We tried HA first and were having to go back in every 3-6 months so this is much more preferable. More expensive up front but worth it.
There have been a couple other threads on this too - not sure how the search on the new site is working but “Noltrex” or “hydrogel” should bring them up too.
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My horse just had arthramid injections in his lower hocks earlier this week. It’s another polyacramide gel product similar to noltrex. Too early to tell but I’m hoping to get more time out of the gel injections than this horse currently gets from standard steroid/HA.
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I know it’s early, but would love to hear your experiences with it in the lower hock joints. My vet didn’t advise using it there (not because it’s dangerous, but because it’s meant for motion joints). If you happen to remember in a year or so, or whenever it wear off, please update 
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Absolutely!
My understanding is that both products are hydrogels but have different compositions. My vet is using Noltrex in high motion joints only but Arthramid does label their product for lower hocks and he has used it on a small number of horses so far. One mare I know personally has benefited from arthramid injections in her lower hocks. She didn’t come back to full soundness but major improvement and she has significant OA.
I’m hopeful that it will be a better solution for this particular horses issues.
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My horse has the same issues, effusion and lameness when flexed in fetlock but nothing on the x rays. I’m disappointed that I have to wait so long; 2 weeks tack walking and then 2 weeks light/flat work after but I guess that is to give it time to work? After one week the effusion is still in the joint, which concerns me, but my vet said that it takes awhile for it to go away? Did you have effusion? If so, did it go away? Mine looks just like windpuffs but firm.
Yes, mine had effusion too but it did go away. Did yours block sound to the fetlock before the injection? We did flexions, blocks, and xray to be sure we had the right area (also a good thing since just xray would have told us nothing).
The original rehab protocol was even stricter, but since it worked so well I followed it pretty closely again the second time. Mine was on stall rest the first week with 48 hours total rest (no walking), then handwalking a couple days, then tack walking. Back to turnout week 2. I believe trot was added week 2, then canter week 4 if I remember correctly. I also followed the time guidelines (I think weeks 2 and 3 are 10-15 min under saddle?).
It is a pain, but I try to time it for winter so having some time off and then a slower comeback over a month isn’t a big deal. My vet and I have been so happy with the results.
Thanks!
I just took a quick look at both, and they seem to both be crosslinked polyacrylimide hydrogels. Arthramid is 2.5% and Noltrex is 4%. The Noltrex also has silver ions to maintain sterility. They both talk about lubrication and working with soft tissue to form a barrier.
Maybe there’s something else that’s not in the general literature. I will try to remember to ask my vet about the Arthramid and non-motion joints. It’s always nice to know about more tools for possible future use! Right now he’s maintaining very well on HA injections once a year, with monthly Ichon (PSGAG) shots.
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Agreed, I am thrilled that companies are continuing to invest in the development new therapies.
The slower return to work is a bit of an annoyance. I timed the injections for a planned vacation.
@Turfqueen - the gel takes time to integrate in to the joint. I read on one of them (can’t remember which) that it takes 14 days to integrate but both products have similar recommendations for time off after injection. It also takes longer to see an improvement in lameness score compared to a steroid, so I wouldn’t lose hope that you haven’t seen changes in the effusion this early.
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