GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – University of Florida researchers are looking to collaborate with horse owners on a study about arthritis pain.
UF/IFAS, the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, the UF College of Dentistry and the UF biomedical engineering department are searching for horses that can participate in a field study focused on osteoarthritis, a key cause of swelling, heat and pain in joints. Just like in people, arthritis in horses commonly results from frequent, repetitive high-impact stress on the joint, such as from activities like racing and jumping – and early intervention is critical.
The researchers have designed a non-invasive screening process for horses to create a more comprehensive, objective method to measure joint pain, said Samantha Brooks, UF/IFAS associate professor of equine physiology and genetics.
If a method can be developed for horses – patients who inherently cannot talk about their pain – then a similar approach will hopefully work for people who have joint pain, rather than relying on the current, subjective pain scales, she said…