Intra-Articular Administration of a Synthetic Lubricin in Canine Stifles.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional, systemic, synovial and articular changes after intra-articular administration of a synthetic lubricin within healthy canine stifles.

Study Design:  A prospective randomized blinded placebo-controlled study composed of 10 dogs equally divided into either a treatment group (intra-articular synthetic lubricin injection,  = 5) or control group (saline,  = 5). Clinical (orthopaedic examination, gait observation, gait analysis), biochemical (complete blood count and biochemistry profile) and local tissue outcomes (joint fluid analysis, joint capsule and articular cartilage histopathology) were evaluated over a time period of 3 months.