Effects of an articular cartilage lubrication with a viscosupplement in vitro and in vivo following osteochondral fractures in horses.

Objective: To assess whether the combination of hyaluronan, sodium chondroitin sulfate, and -acetyl-d-glucosamine (HCSG) lubricates articular cartilage in vitro and modulates joint lubrication in vivo.

Animals: 16 healthy adult horses.

Procedures: The effects of HCSG injections on SF lubricant properties and joint health, immediately after injury and 2 weeks later, were analyzed by use an equine osteochondral fracture model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA).