04/09/2026
Red, the lovely Labrador, was recently in with us for Arthramid® and PRP injections to help manage his chronic osteoarthritis and elbow dysplasia.
Chronic joint disease can be particularly challenging in Labradors, and over time the pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as elbow dysplasia can have a real impact on mobility and day to day comfort. For Red, we wanted to use a combination of treatments aimed at supporting his affected joints and managing the chronic changes within them.
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a regenerative medicine treatment that uses the patient’s own blood. A small blood sample is taken and processed to concentrate the platelets and the various growth factors and signalling proteins they contain. These play an important role in the body’s natural processes of tissue repair and regulation of inflammation.
The photos of us spinning Red’s blood in the centrifuge show part of this process. The centrifuge allows us to separate the different components of the blood and prepare the platelet-rich plasma that is then used for the joint injections. The PRP is injected directly into the affected joints, where it is intended to support the local joint environment and help modulate the inflammatory processes associated with osteoarthritis.
We also treated Red’s joints with Arthramid®, an injectable hydrogel designed specifically for use within joints affected by osteoarthritis. Once injected, Arthramid® integrates with the joint capsule and provides a long-lasting effect within the joint. It is used to help improve joint comfort and function in dogs with chronic degenerative joint disease.
Using PRP alongside Arthramid® gives us two different approaches to managing the chronic changes within an arthritic joint — using biological products derived from the patient themselves alongside a long-acting joint hydrogel.
Both treatments form part of a wider approach to managing chronic osteoarthritis and elbow dysplasia, with the overall aim of reducing pain, maintaining mobility and helping dogs remain comfortable in their everyday lives.
Red’s case is a great example of how advances in veterinary medicine are giving us more tools to manage chronic joint disease and improve the quality of life of our patients.
