Arthramid® In Practice

Contura Vet

Hosted by Dr. Jason Lowe, Chief Veterinary Officer at Contura Vet, Arthramid in Practice brings together leading veterinarians and researchers to explore the evolving landscape of joint health across equine and canine patients. From the latest evidence on osteoarthritis management to practical insights on treatment protocols and case selection, each episode is designed to inform the decisions you make in practice every day. Science-led conversation about what is working, what is changing, and what comes next in joint disease management.

Episodes

  1. The Science Behind iPAAG: Mechanism, Evidence and Long-Term Outcomes with Dr. Wayne McIlwraith and Dr. Leigh de Clifford

    1D AGO

    The Science Behind iPAAG: Mechanism, Evidence and Long-Term Outcomes with Dr. Wayne McIlwraith and Dr. Leigh de Clifford

    This episode is a recording of a seminar held in Cambridge, New Zealand, featuring presentations from Professor Wayne McIlwraith and Dr. Leigh de Clifford, introduced by host Dr. Jason Lowe. If you wish to watch the full episode with slides, please refer to our YouTube channel. Professor Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, DSc, FRCVS, DACVS, is a University Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University, founding director of the Orthopaedic Research Center, and namesake of the C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute. A New Zealand native, he is a past president of both the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American Association of Equine Practitioners, an inductee into the International Equine Research Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the veterinary industry. He has authored over 500 scientific publications and seven textbooks, and is recognized globally as a pioneer in equine arthroscopic surgery and joint disease research. Dr. Leigh de Clifford is the Technical Service Veterinarian for Contura Vet, with over 12 years of clinical and research experience using Arthramid across racing and equestrian disciplines worldwide. Dr. Jason Lowe, Chief Veterinary Officer for Contura Vet, opens the seminar with an overview of the Arthramid research timeline and the company's commitment to ongoing science across species. In this episode, you will learn: How 2.5% iPAAG integrates into the sub-intimal layer of the synovial membrane and why this mechanical pathway sets it apart from conventional drug-based therapies The significance of the FDA's classification of Arthramid as a veterinary medical device and what that distinction means Why synovitis is a major driver of osteoarthritis and how inflammation of the synovial membrane, not cartilage degradation alone, sits at the center of joint disease Results from the CSU carpal chip fragment model showing that Arthramid restored normal joint capsule elasticity in osteoarthritic joints, while untreated joints exhibited significantly increased stiffness How the macrophage-driven response to iPAAG is transient, peaking around 42 days and resolving by 90 days without fibrosis or granuloma formation Evidence of cartilage preservation in treated joints, including retained proteoglycan staining compared to controls Findings from a retrospective analysis of 701 thoroughbred racehorses treated at a single practice in Melbourne over a seven-year period, including long-term safety data and career performance outcomes in 214 horses Why multiple injections in a single joint showed no increase in adverse events and no detrimental impact on race starts or career length The limitations of corticosteroids in racing, including increased fracture hazard ratios after repeated use and tightening regulatory environments Whether you are a veterinarian looking for the latest research on iPAAG or a horse owner wanting to understand the science behind this treatment, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the evidence supporting Arthramid in equine joint health. Subscribe and share with your colleagues so you never miss an episode. Learn more at arthramid.com

    48 min
  2. Intra-articular Approaches to OA | Dr. Lisa Fortier

    2D AGO

    Intra-articular Approaches to OA | Dr. Lisa Fortier

    This episode is a recording of a seminar Dr. Lisa Fortier presented in Cambridge, New Zealand. If you wish to watch the full episode with slides, please refer to our YouTube channel. Dr. Lisa Fortier, DVM, PhD, DACVS is the James Law Professor of Surgery at Cornell University, an inductee into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame, and the author of over 200 scientific papers on regenerative medicine, arthritis, and tendonitis. She also delivered the prestigious Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture at the AAEP's 70th Annual Convention in 2024. In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Fortier breaks down what is actually happening inside the joint when we treat osteoarthritis, why the synovial membrane is the true target of intra-articular therapy, and how immunomodulation, not simply suppressing inflammation, is the key to improving long-term joint health. In this episode, you will learn: Why what you are treating when you inject a joint is not the cartilage but the synovial membrane and surrounding soft tissues Why osteoarthritis is now understood as an immune-mediated disease, not simply a wear and tear condition How macrophage polarization and T cell phenotype switching play a central role in joint disease progression Why early intervention matters, and the research pointing to IL-6 as a potential biomarker for predicting osteoarthritis after joint injury The limitations of corticosteroids, including steroid euphoria masking true lameness and increasing regulatory pressure in racing How biologics such as PRP, IRAP, and polyacrylamide hydrogels offer immunomodulatory approaches that support functional tissue regeneration Why more is not always better with platelet-rich plasma, and the importance of neutrophil-reduced formulations Dr. Fortier's practical protocol for repeat injections and when she chooses not to give a second dose Whether you are a veterinarian refining your approach to joint therapy or a horse owner looking to better understand the options available, this episode offers a science-led perspective on the evolving landscape of intra-articular care. Subscribe and share with your colleagues so you never miss an episode. Learn more at arthramid.com

    42 min
  3. Tips, Tricks and Real-World Guidance for Using Arthramid in Practice | Dr. Leigh de Clifford

    3D AGO

    Tips, Tricks and Real-World Guidance for Using Arthramid in Practice | Dr. Leigh de Clifford

    In this episode of the Arthramid® In Practice podcast, Dr. Leigh de Clifford, Technical Service Veterinarian for Contura Vet, shares over 12 years of clinical experience using Arthramid 2.5% iPAAG in the management of equine osteoarthritis. Dr. de Clifford walks through the practical, case-by-case decisions that veterinarians face when working with Arthramid, from patient selection criteria and diagnostic workup to injection technique, dosing considerations and post-administration management. In this episode, you will learn: How to identify the right candidates for Arthramid treatment, including what clinical signs and imaging findings to look for Why early intervention in the disease process can lead to quicker, stronger and longer-lasting outcomes Practical injection tips, including the use of a 21-gauge needle as a placement confirmation tool and how ultrasonography can support accurate delivery, particularly in stifle joints When it may be appropriate to use Arthramid alongside other therapies such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids, and when to use it exclusively What to expect post-administration, including recommended rest protocols and timelines for return to work How to approach repeat dosing, with independent data supporting safe use of multiple injections over a horse's career spanning up to 12 to 13 years How to recognize and manage the rare occurrence of a joint flare, and why aggressive arthroscopic flushing should be avoided Dr. de Clifford also addresses common mistakes practitioners encounter, the safety profile he has observed over more than a decade of clinical use, and how GMP-certified manufacturing and the product's parallel use in human medicine reinforce confidence in its reliability. Whether you are new to using Arthramid or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with practical insight you can take straight into clinic. Subscribe and share with your colleagues so you never miss an episode. Learn more at arthramid.com

    11 min

About

Hosted by Dr. Jason Lowe, Chief Veterinary Officer at Contura Vet, Arthramid in Practice brings together leading veterinarians and researchers to explore the evolving landscape of joint health across equine and canine patients. From the latest evidence on osteoarthritis management to practical insights on treatment protocols and case selection, each episode is designed to inform the decisions you make in practice every day. Science-led conversation about what is working, what is changing, and what comes next in joint disease management.