Topic:Bursitis
Bursitis in horses refers to the inflammation of a bursa, which is a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and soft tissues, such as tendons or muscles. This condition can result from repetitive motion, trauma, or infection, leading to pain and swelling in the affected area. Common sites for bursitis in horses include the hock, shoulder, and elbow regions. Clinical signs may include localized swelling, heat, and lameness. Diagnosis typically involves clinical examination, ultrasound, or radiography to assess the extent of the inflammation. Treatment strategies may involve rest, anti-inflammatory medications, or drainage of the affected bursa. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, diagnosis, and management of bursitis in horses.
Equine brucellosis in Iran: serological, bacteriological and molecular analysis. Equine brucellosis significantly impacts the health and functionality of horses, leading to complications such as bursitis infection, septic tenosynovitis, septic arthritis, and non-specific lameness resulting from joint infections. In the present study, we used the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), and the 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) assays to find equine brucellosis. From June 2018 to September 2022, 876 blood samples were randomly taken from apparently healthy racing horses in certain parts of Iran, such as Kerman, Isfahan, Tehran, Qom, and Kurdistan....
Computed tomography findings in horses presented with signs of head-shaking. Trigeminal nerve-mediated head-shaking (TNMH) in horses is a diagnosis made by exclusion. Computed tomography (CT) is frequently used to identify any disease process that could cause the clinical signs of head-shaking. Although abnormalities are frequently identified, it is unknown whether treatment of these conditions improves clinical signs. Objective: To ascertain the clinical significance of CT findings in horses presented with a complaint of head-shaking. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: CT and patient records were reviewed and all abnormal findings and any treatments subseque...
Comparison Between Ultrasonographic and Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in the Podotrochlear Apparatus of Horses With Foot Pain. This prospective study aimed to blindly compare the ultrasonographic and standing magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) findings in deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), navicular bone, and navicular bursa in horses with foot pain, positive digital analgesia, and without definitive radiographic diagnosis. Ultrasonography detected more DDFT abnormalities (32/34 feet vs. 27/34 with sMRI) but identified less palmar navicular abnormalities (23/34 feet vs. 30/34 with sMRI). In suprasesamoidean DDFT lesions, which were mainly dorsally located, changes in echogenicity did not correspond to a particular patt...
Diagnostic Imaging and Cytological Analysis Aid the Clinical Investigation of Long Digital Extensor Tendon Subtendinous Bursitis in a Horse. The fetlock joint is a high mobility structure that accommodates enormous loading during locomotion. An injury of the superficial constituent such as subtendinous bursitis may occur due to repeated trauma. An 8-year old school riding horse was presented with dorsomedial distension in the left hindlimb fetlock region. The lesion was noted following routine exercise. The horse demonstrated no lameness and a negative response to the fetlock flexion test. Radiographic findings revealed a smooth surface cortical thickening on the medial aspect of the distal third metatarsal bone. Furthermore, the u...
A multi-centre cohort study investigating the outcome of synovial contamination or sepsis of the calcaneal bursae in horses treated by endoscopic lavage and debridement. Previous studies investigating factors associated with survival following endoscopic treatment of contamination/sepsis of the calcaneal bursa are limited. Objective: To investigate the factors associated with survival in horses with contamination/sepsis of the calcaneal bursae treated endoscopically and to describe the bacterial isolates involved in the synovial infections. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical records. Methods: Medical records from 128 horses with contamination/sepsis of the calcaneal bursae treated by endoscopic lavage at seven equine hospitals were reviewed. A follow-...
Ultrasonographic and computed tomographic features of rice bodies in an Arabian horse with atlantal bursitis. A 19-year-old castrated Arabian male horse presented for evaluation of a firm mass at the dorsal cervical region. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed multiple well defined fusiform structures within the atlantal bursa. Multiple glossy smooth, white to yellowish, flattened fusiform structures were removed surgically. These structures were composed of dense fibrin with some leukocytes and red blood cells. The imaging and histopathological features of these structures were similar to chronic 'rice bodies' reported in humans with bursitis or tenosynovitis. This is the first veterinary...
Steroid diffusion into the navicular bursa occurs in horses affected by palmar foot pain. Palmar foot pain is frequently treated by steroid injections into the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) in the anticipation that the steroid will diffuse to the navicular bursa and palmar foot structures. The object of this study was to determine if triamcinolone acetonide (TA) would in fact be able to locally diffuse from the DIPJ into the navicular bursa in horses affected by palmar foot pain. Both forelimb DIPJs (nine horses) were injected with 10 mg of TA. Navicular bursa fluid samples, both forelimb and one hind limb (systemic control), were analysed for TA with high-performance liquid ...
Injuries of the calcaneal insertions of the superficial digital flexor tendon in 19 horses. Injuries of the calcaneal insertions of the superficial digital flexor tendon and their relationship to displacement of the tendon from the calcaneus have not previously been reported. Objective: To describe findings made on clinical cases with disruption of the calcaneal insertions of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) including observations on their role in horses with unstable subluxation of the tendon. To describe novel surgical techniques and the results of treatment. Objective: Disruption of the calcaneal insertions of the SDFT is associated with lameness and distension of the ...
Evaluation of four techniques for injecting the trochanteric bursa of horses. To describe the anatomic features of the equine trochanteric bursa and to evaluate 4 techniques for bursa centesis. Methods: Prospective, randomized design. Methods: Equine cadavers (n=2) and 20 live horses. Methods: The trochanteric bursae of 2 equine cadavers were injected with latex to identify the boundaries of the bursae. Four techniques for centesis of the trochanteric bursa were evaluated by attempting to inject dye into both trochanteric bursae of 20 live horses. Techniques included injection of the bursa with the limb-bearing weight and injection with the limb nonweight bearing and su...
Outcome of medical treatment for horses with foot pain: 56 cases. Currently, there are limited data regarding the long-term outcome of horses with foot pain treated with corrective shoeing, rest and rehabilitation, and intrasynovial anti-inflammatory medication to target lesions detected with MRI. Objective: To report the long-term (≥12 months) outcome of horses with foot lesions following medical therapy. Objective: 1) There is no association between clinical parameters considered and a poor response to therapy. 2) Horses with a deep digital flexor tendinopathy are less likely to respond to medical therapy than horses without a deep digital flexor tendino...
Rib osteomyelitis in three foals. Three foals aged between 21 and 44 days were presented for evaluation of pyrexia and lameness. Each had subcutaneous abscessation associated with osteomyelitis of a rib at the costochondral junction and pathological fracture of the affected rib; one foal had more than one rib affected. Other localised sites of infection included other sites of osteomyelitis, omphalophlebitis, uveitis, enterocolitis, and calcaneal bursitis. The subcutaneous abscessation and rib osteomyelitis was treated surgically in two foals. Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from the subcutaneous abscess in one foal and fr...
Disorders of the infraspinatus tendon and bursa in three horses. 3 horses with penetrating wounds to the shoulder area were examined because of forelimb lameness. Results: All horses had physical examination findings (decreased cranial phase of the stride, swelling in the shoulder region, and signs of pain on manipulation of the shoulder) that were suggestive of problems in the upper portion of the forelimb. Injury to the biceps tendon or bursa was the primary differential diagnosis in each instance, but no abnormalities involving those structures were found. Radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging revealed injuries to the caudal eminence of the greater t...
Retrospective study of 24 cases of septic calcaneal bursitis in the horse. Wounds to the plantar aspect of the tarsus present a diagnostic and treatment challenge. This study was undertaken to describe specific features of traumatic wounds involving the calcaneal bursa, with a view to determining which clinical examination findings and diagnostic tests results could provide reliable indicators of prognosis. Objective: To report clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment and outcome of 24 cases of septic calcaneal bursitis; and to determine the importance of the involvement of specific anatomical structures in relation to the prognosis for survival and retu...
Osteolytic lesions of the tuber calcanei in two horses. Two adult horses were evaluated for chronic hind limb lameness. Nonseptic calcanean bursitis with associated focal osteolytic lesions at the point of insertion of the gastrocnemius tendon was diagnosed in each horse by physical and lameness examinations, radiography, ultrasonography, and synovial fluid analysis. Both horses underwent arthroscopic exploration and lavage of the affected bursa, and one horse also underwent surgical debridement of the osseous lesion. Both horses remained lame for 13 months after the surgical procedures. To our knowledge, osseous lesions of the calcaneus in horses ...
Endoscopy of the intertubercular bursa in horses. Forelimbs from 3 anesthetized horses and 16 fresh cadaver horses were used to describe the endoscopic anatomy of the intertubercular bursa and outline the surgical portals that provide the greatest access to structures within the bursa. A lateral arthroscopic portal was made proximal to the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus into the distal bursal recess. A second portal was created proximal to the humeral tubercles that entered the proximal bursal space. These approaches provided consistent viewing and instrument access to the lateral intertuberal groove, the greater and intermediate humeral t...
Endoscopy of the calcaneal bursa in horses. To describe endoscopic approaches to the calcaneal bursa and clinical findings in 2 horses with calcaneal bursitis. Methods: Cadaver evaluations and retrospective case reports. Methods: 12 cadavers and 2 adult horses. Methods: Cadaver specimens of the calcaneal bursa were evaluated with a rigid arthroscope and gross dissection to determine the endoscopic appearance of anatomic structures located within the bursa. The site(s) for placement of the arthroscope and instrument(s) was determined based on cadaver dissection and endoscopic examination. Results: Placement of the arthroscope 1 cm dorsal...
Soft tissue injuries of the tarsus. Contrast radiography provides a clear survey of the size, shape, and location of extratendovaginal fluid-filled cavities, distended bursa, and tendon sheaths and demonstrates intersynovial communication. Ultrasonography effectively demonstrates Achilles tendon injury, slippage of the SDFT off the summit of the calcaneus, assorted ligamentous injuries, and cystic or solid extratendovaginal masses. It will also demonstrate distended bursae and tendon sheaths, but it is not as effective in demonstrating a synovial herniation, or a narrow synovial fistula. Contrast radiography may prove to be the ...
Treatment of olecranon bursitis in horses: 10 cases (1986-1993). Medical records of 10 horses with olecranon bursitis were reviewed to examine treatments, evaluate a technique for en bloc resection of the bursa in standing horses, and determine outcome of the horses after treatment. Before admission, 6 horses had been treated by needle aspiration of fluid from the mass, followed by injection of corticosteroids. Subsequent treatment for 2 of these 6 horses included open drainage and packing of the cavity with gauze soaked in 7% iodine solution. None resolved after these treatments. After admission to the hospital, 5 horses were treated medically and 5 were t...
Ultrasonographic morphology of the bicipital tendon and bursa in clinically normal quarter horses. The bicipital tendons and bursae of 25 healthy adult Quarter Horses were ultrasonographically examined. Cross-sectional images of the right and left bicipital tendons were obtained from each horse, using a 7.5-MHz transducer held in the frontal plane at the point of the shoulder. The bicipital tendon at the point of the shoulder appeared as a bilobate structure overlying the echogenic surface of the humerus. Median distance from the skin surface to the cranial surface of the tendon on the medial sagittal plane of the tendon was 23 mm (range, 16.5 to 30 mm); median distance on the lateral sagit...
Use of contrast radiography in the investigation of tenosynovitis and bursitis in horses. Contrast radiography, using a 25 per cent solution of sodium diatrizoate, has been used for the investigation of tenosynovitis and bursitis in horses. The procedure was undertaken on a series of 32 clinical cases and on specimens obtained at autopsy. Lesions affecting the extensor tendon sheaths at the carpus, the digital sheath, the tarsal sheath and the bursae at the elbow, hock and fetlock were examined by this means. The results showed the procedure offered the clinician useful information about the nature of the interior of these structures, particularly as regards the presence of adhesio...