Osteoarthritis in horses - Part 2: a review of the intra-articular use of corticosteroids as a method of treatment

ABSTRACT: The problem considered in this review is related to the frequent use of corticosteroids (COs) (i.e. steroids) in the practice of equine medicine and surgery as a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of degenerative joint disease, commonly known as osteoarthritis (OA). This disease is one of the most common among the equine musculoskeletal diseases, and is clinically characterized by pain, lameness, joint effusion at the initial stage, which usually reduces with the progression of the disease, and reduced physical performance. Although steroids are considered excellent drugs in the c...