Joint health in horses involves the study of anatomical structures such as cartilage, synovial fluid, ligaments, and bones that contribute to the function and mobility of equine joints. Research in this area focuses on understanding the physiology of equine joints, the mechanisms of joint disorders, and the effects of wear and tear over time. Common joint issues in horses include osteoarthritis, synovitis, and joint effusion, which can impact performance and quality of life. Diagnostic techniques often involve imaging, synovial fluid analysis, and clinical evaluation to assess joint condition. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomy, pathology, diagnostics, and therapeutic approaches related to joint health in horses.
Lescun TB, Adams SB, Wu CC, Bill RP, Van Sickle DC.To determine the effects of a continuous intra-articular infusion of gentamicin on the synovial membrane and articular cartilage in the tarsocrural joint of horses. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: A balloon infusion system attached to a catheter placed in the plantarolateral pouch of both tarsocrural joints in each horse was used for continuous gentamicin solution (GM) or balanced electrolyte solution (BES) delivery for 5 days. Cartilage and synovial membrane specimens were collected on day 5 from 3 horses and on day 14 from the remaining 3 horses. Both infused joints from each horse...
Magnusson LE, Ekman S.Osteoarthrosis (OA) of the antebrachiocarpal joint from 7 riding horses is described. The horses were old mares and developed severe OA, with ankylosis in some of the joints. The lesions were bilateral, and the owners noticed the lameness in a late event. The cause of severe OA in these mares is not clear. The fact that OA was bilateral indicates that a single traumatic injury is unlikely as an etiologic factor. Considering the severe joint lesions it took long time before the horse-owners noticed the lameness. It is discussed if the threshold of pain is higher in the antebrachiocarpal joint c...
Takafuji VA, McIlwraith CW, Howard RD.To evaluate the effects of equine recombinant interleukin-1alpha (rEqIL-1alpha) and recombinant interleukin-1beta (rEqIL-1beta) on proteoglycan metabolism and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis by equine articular chondrocytes in explant culture. Methods: Near full-thickness articular cartilage explants (approx 50 mg) harvested from stifle joints of a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old horse. Methods: Expression constructs containing cDNA sequences encoding EqIL-1alpha and EqIL-1beta were generated, prokaryotically expressed, and the recombinant protein purified. Near full-thickness articular cartilag...
Van Harreveld PD, Lillich JD, Kawcak CE, Gaughan EM, Mclaughlin RM, Debowes RM.To evaluate clinical effects of immobilization followed by remobilization and exercise on the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) in horses. Methods: 5 healthy horses. Methods: After lameness, radiographic, and force plate examinations to determine musculoskeletal health, 1 forelimb of each horse was immobilized in a fiberglass cast for 7 weeks, followed by cast removal and increasing amounts of exercise, beginning with hand-walking and ending with treadmill exercise. Lameness examination, arthrocentesis of both MPJ, single-emulsion radiographic examination, nuclear scintigraphic examination, grou...
Fuller CJ, Ghosh P, Barr AR.Results from in vitro studies have indicated that calcium pentosan polysulphate (CaPPS) may be of therapeutic value in osteoarthritis (OA) in the horse. However, no controlled clinical trials using this drug in equine OA have yet been reported. If CaPPS is to be developed for such use, the relationship between the proposed i.m. dose of CaPPS to be used and the concentrations of drug attained in plasma and synovial fluid of the target joint should first be established. An investigation was undertaken to determine these concentrations after a single 2 mg/kg i.m. injection of CaPPS. Blood and syn...
Gollob E, Edinger H, Stanek C, Wurnig C.The purpose of this study was to evaluate ultrasonographic imaging as a means of easy and noninvasive diagnosis of articular and periarticular structures of the atlanto-occipital articulation in the horse; and to find a safe approach to the atlanto-occipital joint. Ultrasonographic investigations were performed on 6 healthy horses and 16 specimens from horses humanely destroyed age 2-17 years (mean 9.56 years). Preliminary examinations included anatomical studies and preparation of cross-sections. On 4 horse specimens, puncture of the atlanto-occipital joint under ultrasonographic guidance was...
Gough MR, Munroe GA, Mayhew G.This paper tests the hypothesis that serum and synovial urea concentrations are similar and that urea concentration can be used as an accurate marker for synovial fluid dilution in normal equine joints. Serum and synovial fluid urea concentrations were compared in 42 horses and were equivalent for individual horses (P<0.0001). Mean +/- s.e. serum concentration was 6.1+/-0.552 mmol/l and synovial concentration 6.0+/-0.459 mmol/l. The normal range for synovial urea concentration was determined as 2.5-7.7 mmol/l. The synovial urea concentration from different synovial structures in individual hor...
Gough MR, Mayhew G, Munroe GA.This paper tests the hypothesis that the local analgesic agent mepivacaine diffuses between adjacent equine synovial structures in the forelimb and with greater frequency than latex, gelatine dye or contrast media. We report the incidence of diffusion of mepivacaine between the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) and navicular bursa (NB) of the forelimbs and between the intercarpal (IC) and radiocarpal (RC) joints of 31 fresh equine cadavers. The DIPJ of one forelimb and the NB of the contra lateral forelimb and the RC joint of one forelimb and the IC joint of the contra lateral forelimb were ...
Gough MR, Munroe GA, Mayhew G.This paper tests the hypothesis that the local analgesic agent mepivacaine diffuses between adjacent equine synovial structures in the hindlimb and with greater frequency than latex, gelatine dye or contrast media. We report the incidence of diffusion of mepivacaine between the tarsometatarsal, centrodistal and tarsocrural joints, and the 3 synovial compartments of the stifle in 33 fresh equine cadavers. The tarsometatarsal joint and one synovial compartment of the stifle in the left limb and the centrodistal joint and a different synovial compartment of the stifle in the right limbs were inje...
Watt BC, Edwards RB, Markel MD, McCabe R, Wilson DG.To compare the biomechanical characteristics and mode of failure of two different dynamic compression plate (DCP) techniques for proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) arthrodesis in horses. Methods: Randomized block-design blocking on horse (1-5), method of fixation (two 7-hole, 3.5-mm broad DCP vs two 5-hole, 4.5-mm narrow DCP), side (left, right), and end (front, hind). Constructs were loaded to failure in 3-point bending in a dorsal-to-palmar (plantar) direction. Methods: Ten paired limbs from 5 equine cadavers. Methods: Two 7-hole, 3.5-mm broad dynamic compression plates (bDCP) were used i...
Gustås P, Johnston C, Roepstorff L, Drevemo S.There is a high prevalence of lameness among Standardbred trotters, most commonly caused by noninfectious joint diseases, mainly related to training and competition. In this context, impact-related shock waves transmitted through the skeleton and joints have been proposed to be one important factor in the development of osteoarthritis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristic pattern of the events immediately following first contact, with a focus on the in vivo transmission of impact shock waves in the distal forelimb. Two horses were trotted by hand over a force plat...
Degueurce C, Chateau H, Jerbi H, Crevier-Denoix N, Pourcelot P, Audigié F, Pasqui-Boutard V, Geiger D, Denoix JM.The proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) has always been considered as a low-motion joint with an almost constant angle during loading of the limb. Until very recently, its motion was not taken into account in kinematic studies in vivo. Recent in vivo studies yielded surprisingly high ranges of motion in this joint. The aim of this study was to measure, in terms of the 3 possible rotations (flexion/extension, collateromotion and axial rotation), the movements of the PIPJ in vitro during limb loading in a neutral position (500-6000 N) and after the addition of heel and toe wedges (6 degrees an...
Chateau H, Degueurce C, Jerbi H, Crevier-Denoix N, Pourcelot P, Audigié F, Pasqui-Boutard V, Denoix JM.The purpose of this study was to quantify small amplitude rotational movements in the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) of the horse and to measure the influence of asymmetric placement of the foot on these articular angles. Trihedrons, supporting kinematic markers defining a local frame, were screwed into the third metacarpal bone and the proximal phalanx of 4 isolated forelimbs. The limbs were loaded in a press, and the lateral or medial aspects of the foot were raised alternately by a 12 degrees wedge. The use of the joint coordinate system permitted the simultaneous and continuous computing ...
Crevier-Denoix N, Roosen C, Dardillat C, Pourcelot P, Jerbi H, Sanaa M, Denoix JM.Five sound mature horses, age 8-14 years, with toe angles 45.5-55.0 degrees were placed on a specially designed platform with only the left forelimb weightbearing, which allowed the successive production of 7 different conditions of foot orientation: neutral position (N), 5, 10, 15 degrees heel (H5, H10, H15) and toe (T5, T10, T15) elevation, performed according to 2 different sequences. For each condition, 2 lateromedial radiographs were taken to evaluate the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) and both interphalangeal joint (PIPJ and DIPJ) angles, respectively. In addition, two-dimensional (2-D)...
May KA, Moll HD, Howard RD, Pleasant RS, Gregg JM.To develop an arthroscopic approach to, and describe the arthroscopic anatomy of, the equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Methods: Cadaveric study, after which the technique was tested in horses. Methods: Ten cadaveric equine heads and 5 normal horses (age, 5-13 years; weight, 425-545 kg). Methods: Specimens or horses were positioned in right lateral recumbency. After fluid distention of the TMJ, arthroscopic portals were made in the dorsal compartment over the most prominent portion of the joint outpouching (caudodorsal approach) and in rostral and intermediate locations. The joint was expl...
Bertone AL, Palmer JL, Jones J.To evaluate the value of various synovial fluid cytokines and eicosanoids to diagnose joint disease or categories of joint disease. Methods: Prospective acquisition of clinicopathologic data. Methods: Client-owned or donated horses: 50 joints with no evidence of disease; 28 joints with acute disease; 32 joints with chronic disease; 9 joints with cartilage damage and no other signs of joint disease. Methods: Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), prostaglandin F1-alpha...
Kitamura H, Okumura M, Sato F, Kimoto K, Kohama M, Hashimoto Y, Tagami M, Iwanaga T.Our previous study established protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), a ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase, as a specific cytochemical marker of synovial lining cells (type B synoviocytes) in the horse joint. The present study aimed to detect PGP 9.5 in the synovial fluid and shows that PGP 9.5 is a valuable marker of osteoarthritis in the horse. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed rich and consistent localization of PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of synovial lining cells in the normal horse joint. Western blot analysis of synovial fluid from normal joints could detect a significant ban...
Trumble TN, Trotter GW, Oxford JR, McIlwraith CW, Cammarata S, Goodnight JL, Billinghurst RC, Frisbie DD.To determine concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in synovial fluid; and mRNA expression of MMP-1, -13, and -3; interleukin[IL]-1alpha and beta; and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in synovial membrane and articular cartilage from horses with naturally occurring joint disease. Methods: Synovial fluid (n = 76), synovial membrane (59), and articular cartilage (45) from 5 clinically normal horses and 55 horses with joint disease categorized as traumatic (acute [AT] or chronic [CT]), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), or septic (S). Methods: Synovial fluid gelatinase concentra...
MacLellan KN, Crawford WH, MacDonald DG.To report clinical experience with arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint in horses using two parallel 5.5-mm cortical bone screws placed in lag fashion. Methods: Retrospective, clinical study. Methods: Thirty-four horses, aged 1 to 19 years. Methods: Medical records for all horses admitted (1991-1997) for pastern arthrodesis using two 5.5-mm ASIF cortical bone screws, in parallel orientation, and placed in lag fashion by use of a combined aiming device to facilitate accuracy were reviewed. Signalment, lameness diagnosis, duration of lameness, limb(s) involved, and outcome were reco...
Murray RC, Smith RK, Henson FM, Goodship A.Based on previous studies where tendons receiving the most load have been shown to have the highest levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), we hypothesized that COMP distribution in articular cartilage may be influenced by mechanical loading. This investigation aimed (a) to describe the pattern of COMP immunoreactivity in middle carpal joint cartilage of two-year-old Thoroughbred horses; (b) to determine topographical variations; (c) to compare high (group 1) and low (group 2) intensity training and (d) to describe COMP immunoreactivity at sites with early osteoarthritis. Group 1...
Fubini SL, Todhunter RJ, Burton-Wurster N, Vernier-Singer M, MacLeod JN.Experimental evidence suggests that recommended dosages of some corticosteroids used clinically as antiinflammatory agents for treating arthropathies damage articular cartilage, but low dosages may be chondroprotective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how different concentrations of methylprednisolone affect chondrocyte function and viability. Articular cartilage and chondrocytes were obtained from young adult horses, 1.5-3.5 years of age. Corticosteroid-induced changes in collagen expression were studied at the transcriptional level by Northern blot analyses and at the translational...
Skiöldebrand E, Lorenzo P, Zunino L, Rucklidge GJ, Sandgren B, Carlsten J, Ekman S.The aim of the present investigation was to study the metabolic activity of the third carpal bone and the release of COMP, aggrecan and collagen type II molecules in the synovial fluid as a result of injury. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), aggrecan and collagen type II or fragments of these molecules released to the synovial fluid and serum (COMP) were quantified in samples from 73 left equine middle carpal joints from 2 breeds with different activity profiles (52 Standardbred trotters [STB] and 21 Swedish Warmblood riding horses [SWH]) and different articular cartilage lesions. Sy...
Meershoek LS, Roepstorff L, Schamhardt HC, Johnston C, Bobbert MF.Tendon injuries are an important problem in athletic horses and are probably caused by excessive loading of the tendons during demanding activities. As a first step towards understanding these injuries, the tendon loading was quantified during jump landings. Kinematics and ground reaction forces were collected from the leading and trailing forelimbs of 6 experienced jumping horses. Joint moments were calculated using inverse dynamic analysis. It was found that the variation of movement and loading patterns was small, both within and between horses. The peak flexor joint moments in the coffin a...
Semevolos SA, Nixon AJ, Brower-Toland BD.To determine molecular changes in the expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in horses with osteochondrosis, and to characterize expression of matrix aggrecan and collagen types I, II, and X in articular cartilage of affected joints. Methods: Articular cartilage from affected stifle or shoulder joints of 11 horses with naturally acquired osteochondrosis and corresponding joints of 11 clinically normal horses. Methods: Harvested specimens were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen, and total RNA was isolated. Specimens were fixed in 4% paraf...
Bodó G, Hangody L, Szabó Z, Peham C, Schinzel M, Girtler D, Sótonyi P.An 11-year-old, Hungarian half-bred stallion was presented with a history of mixed left hindlimb lameness of 6 months duration. Subchondral bone cyst of the medial femoral condyle and injury of the medial meniscus were diagnosed. Osteochondral autograft transplantation (mosaic arthroplasty) was performed, taking grafts from the less weight-bearing medial border of the medial femoral trochlea of the affected limb, and transplanting them into the cyst during arthroscopy. The lameness was evaluated prior to and one year after the operation with a motion analysis system during treadmill exercise. ...
Errecalde JO, Carmely D, Mariño EL, Mestorino N.The serum and synovial pharmacokinetics of amoxycillin (AMX) were studied after i.v. administration at a dosage of 40 mg/kg to normal horses and horses with induced aseptic carpal arthritis. The best estimates of serum and synovial pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by mono or bivariable non-linear regression analysis. A biexponential equation was used to describe the concentration vs. time profiles in both normal and arthritic horses. There were no serum kinetic differences between normal and arthritic horses. There were, however, major synovial kinetic changes between these groups. T...
Rosenstein DS, Bullock MF, Ocello PJ, Clayton HM.To develop a method for arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint in adult horses. Methods: 7 equine cadaver heads and 6 clinically normal adult horses. Methods: Fluoroscopy, contrast radiography, and computed tomography were used on cadaver specimens to locate the temporomandibular joint, identify externally palpable landmarks for joint access, guide needle placement into the joint, and illustrate regional anatomy. The arthrocentesis technique was performed on 6 live healthy adult horses to determine efficacy and safety of this procedure. Results: Externally palpable structures were ident...
Hurtig M, Pearce S, Warren S, Kalra M, Miniaci A.To investigate survival and function of autogenous heterotopic osteochondral grafts in a site where injuries are common. Methods: Three osteochondral grafts were harvested arthroscopically from the femoropatellar joint and transplanted to the third carpal bone (C(3)). Nine months later, histologic, histomorphometric, and biochemical comparisons were made between the transplanted grafts in C(3) and tissue adjacent to the recipient site, the opposing radial carpal bone (C(r)), the donor site in the femoropatellar joint, and the sham-operated contralateral C(3). Methods: One mixed-breed pony and ...
Watt BC, Edwards RB, Markel MD, McCabe R, Wilson DG.To compare the biomechanical characteristics and mode of failure of 2 parallel-screw techniques for proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis in horses. Methods: Randomized block design, blocking for horse (1-5), method of screw fixation (three 4.5-mm vs two 5.5-mm), side (left limb vs right limb), and end (front limb vs hind limb). Constructs were loaded to failure in 3-point bending in a dorsal-to-palmar (plantar) direction. Methods: Twenty limbs (10 limb pairs) from 5 equine cadavers. Methods: A combined aiming device was used to facilitate consistent screw placement. Three parallel 4.5-mm...
Kim W, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Firth EC, McArdle BH, Broom ND.To investigate the influence of early conditioning exercise on the development of gross cartilage defects and swelling behavior of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) in the midcarpal joint of horses. Methods: 12 Thoroughbreds. Methods: 6 horses underwent early conditioning exercise from birth to 18 months of age (CONDEX group), and 6 horses were used as control animals (PASTEX group). The horses were euthanized at 18 months of age, and the midcarpal joints were harvested. Gross defects of the cartilage surface were classified and mapped. Opposing surfaces of the third and radial carpal bones...
Cribb NC, Bouré LP, Hanna WJ, Akens MK, Mattson SE, Monteith GJ, Weese JS.To assess the antimicrobial elution characteristics, toxicity, and antimicrobial activity of amikacin-impregnated ferric-hyaluronate implants (AI-FeHAI) for amikacin delivery to the tarsocrural joint of horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: AI-FeHAI implants, equine cartilage, and synovium, and horses (n=6). Methods: In vitro study: Five AI-FeHAI were placed in saline solution with daily replacement until implant degradation. Eluent was tested for amikacin concentration and bioactivity. Synovial and cartilage explants were incubated in the presence or absence of AI-FeHAI for 72 hours a...
Poore LA, Lambert KL, Shaw DJ, Weaver MP.The efficacy of three methods of injecting the equine proximal interphalangeal (pastern) joint was compared using cadaver limbs. Five veterinary students without prior experience attempted to inject an aqueous radiographic contrast medium into the joint using five limbs for each technique. The number of attempts was recorded and successful injection of the joint was confirmed by the presence of intra-articular contrast on radiographic examination. Levels of accuracy for the dorsal, dorsolateral and palmaroproximal approaches were 32, 48 and 36 per cent, respectively. There was inadvertent inje...
Trencart P, Alexander K, De Lasalle J, Laverty S.To measure the minimal joint space width (mJSW) in caudocranial radiographic views of orthopedically normal femorotibial joints of horses, to compare the accuracy of measurements with those of a software program designed for humans, and to identify the ideal caudocranial radiographic projection angle for mJSW measurement. ANIMALS 12 healthy mares (22 femorotibial joints) and 3 equine cadavers (6 stifle joints). Methods: Caudocranial views of femorotibial joints were acquired in the proximodistal plane at 5°, 10°, and 15° (caudo-5°-proximal-craniodistal oblique, 10°, and 15°) and laterome...
McCarty CA, Thomason JJ, Gordon K, Burkhart T, Bignell W.We wished to add to the existing baseline data on impact loading of the distal limb as a precursor to assessing the potential role of impact in injury and joint disease. Objective: To examine the effect of 3 hoof-strike conditions (toe first, flat and heel first) and 2 specimen masses (with and without a ballast of ∼2% body mass) on impact deceleration and vibration frequencies and energies at the hoof, first phalanx and third metacarpal. Methods: Biomechanical experiments in cadaver material. Methods: Eight cadaver limbs were subjected to randomised, repeated controlled trials, in which the...
Pusterla N, Pratt SM, Magdesian KG, Carlson GP.This paper describes the clinical, laboratory and histological findings in three horses with immune-mediated polysynovitis; they had lost weight, suffered intermittent fever, were lethargic and stiff, and had effusions in several joints. Laboratory abnormalities included anaemia, leucocytosis, hyperfibrinogenaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. The diagnosis was based on the presence of a suppurative, non-septic inflammation in at least two different joints in each of the horses and the presence of immunoglobulins in the synovial membrane of one of them. The horses were treated with a combination of ...
Wauters J, Pille F, Martens A, Franck T, Serteyn D, Gasthuys F, Meyer E.Equine joint infection is a life-threatening disorder, and confirmation of the diagnosis can be difficult. Synovial fluid biomarkers may assist the discrimination between infectious and noninfectious joint disease. Objective: This study investigates whether the immunological detection of total and enzymatically active myeloperoxidase (MPO) assists the diagnosis of joint infection in horses. Methods: The following 4 sample groups were included: healthy; osteochondritis dissecans (OCD); traumatic synovitis; and culture-confirmed infected joints. Synovial fluid was analysed for total MPO by a hor...
Noble P, Lumay G, Coninx M, Collin B, Magnée A, Lecomte-Beckers J, Denoix JM, Serteyn D.An equine fetlock joint pendulum test was studied and the influence of post mortem time and intra-articular lipid solvent on the viscous frictional response examined. Fresh equine digits (group 1, n=6 controls; group 2, n=6 lipid solvent) were mounted on a pendulum tribometer. Assuming that pendular joint damping could be modelled by a harmonic oscillator fluid damping (HOFD), damping time (τ), viscous damping coefficient (c) and friction coefficient (μ) were monitored for 5h under experimental conditions (400N; 20°C). In all experiments, pendular joint damping was found to follow an expone...
Vervuert I, Stratton-Phelps M.Equine nutraceuticals are promoted as useful therapies to help optimize health and athletic performance, often without the benefit of independent research to support product efficacy and safety. This review focuses on 4 main categories of equine supplements that are frequently used as nutraceuticals: (i) supplements to support metabolic health, (ii) gastric support products, (iii) common ingredients that are included in supplements designed to support hoof health, and (iv) supplements to support joint health.
Fjordbakk CT, Strand E, Milde AK, Ihler CF, Rorvik AM.To determine clinical and diagnostic imaging findings in young horses with osteochondral fragments involving the dorsomedial aspect of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 6 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained through telephone conversations with owners or trainers or by examining race records. Results: Horses were between 1 and 4 years old. Three had bilateral osteochondral fragments in the forelimbs (n = 2 horses) or hind limbs (1). Radiographically, all but 1 fragment seemed to originate from th...
Lang HM, Nixon AJ.To characterize discrete palmar carpal osteochondral fragmentation in horses and to document the effect of osteoarthritis and surgical removal of these fragments on functional outcome. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 25 horses. Methods: Medical records and radiographic views were reviewed to identify horses that had radiographic evidence of palmar carpal fragmentation, which was subsequently treated by arthroscopic removal. Information collected included cause of fracture, initial and long-term clinical and radiographic findings, and functional outcome. Results: Palmar carpal frag...
Wyn-Jones G, May SA.Over a period of seven years, 30 horses were treated by surgical arthrodesis for lameness resulting from osteoarthrosis of the proximal intertarsal, distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints (bone and occult spavin). Twenty-five horses were affected in one hock only and five were affected bilaterally. Four different techniques for achieving arthrodesis were used. Fourteen out of 18 horses (78 per cent) with involvement of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints only and six out of 11 horses (55 per cent) in which the proximal intertarsal joint was also involved became sound follo...
Genetzky RM, Schneider EJ, Butler HC, Guffy MM.Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint in horses, with 2 screws crisscrossing the joint, was compared with arthrodesis achieved by placement of 3 screws crossing the joint parallel to the long axis of the bone. The comparison was made by means of radiography, gross and histologic examinations, and motion evaluation. Additionally, the fused 1st and 2nd phalanges resulting from each method were subjected to breaking forces. Motion evaluation and direct examination of the fused area demonstrated that either procedure can be used to achieve arthrodesis consistently, and the breaking pro...
Terschuur JA, Coomer RPC, McKane SA.The objective of this study was to investigate the postoperative use of intrasynovial honey as an antimicrobial after treatment for synovial sepsis in horses. One colt and 2 mares were presented with acute lameness, with or without an associated wound. All 3 cases were initially managed with surgical endoscopic or tenoscopic debridement and lavage for treatment of different synovial structures. Collection of synovial fluid was consistent with synovial sepsis and this was diagnosed in each case. All horses subsequently underwent arthroscopic lavage under general anesthetic and intraarticular or...
Merchán A, Koenig J, Côté N, Cribb N, Monteith G.The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the occurrence of joint-related complications after elective arthroscopy of the tibiotarsal joint (TTJ) in 329 horses, and the association with specific clinical parameters. Data were collected from medical records of horses undergoing elective tibiotarsal joint arthroscopy for fragment removal. Exact conditional univariate regression was used to determine significant risk factors for joint-related post-operative complications. Of 485 joints, 2 (0.4%) developed surgical site infection, 4 (0.8%) developed septic arthritis, 1 (0.2%) deve...
Wilson DG.A 3-year-old Standardbred gelding was referred for evaluation of a fluctuant swelling that developed over the dorsum of the carpus subsequent to arthroscopic surgery on that carpus. A synovial hernia was diagnosed and surgically repaired. Although complications secondary to arthroscopy are rare, synovial herniation can develop after arthroscopic surgery. The condition must be differentiated from the more common true bursitis or false bursitis that is commonly referred to as a hygroma.
Canola PA, Cardenas JJ, Sá GC, de Paula VB.To evaluate the feasibility of performing needle arthroscopy of the scapulohumeral joint and bicipital bursa in standing horses by using the thoracic limbs of euthanized horses. To that purpose, this experimental study was designed. Ten thoracic limbs, five left and five right from euthanized horses were retained in an upright position to simulate a standing horse. The craniolateral and lateral scapulohumeral arthroscopic portals were used to access the articular structures. A third (caudal) portal was also identified and described. The degree of difficulty in accessing the articular space and...
Ogden NKE, Cullen MD, Stack JD.Accuracy of intrasynovial injections can be challenging to assess in a clinical setting in horses. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using injectate agitated with air has been used to determine the success rates of synovial injections in human rheumatology. Objective: To assess the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of CEUS and to describe its clinical use. Methods: Cadaveric study followed by a prospective descriptive observational study. Methods: Part 1: CEUS was performed following injection of agitated methylene-blue solution targeting 13 different anatomical synovial structures...
Maia MPM, Weber SH, Bastos LFC, Michelotto PV.This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCCs) in yearling Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses in Southern Brazil, as well as to examine the same animals studied as weanlings by Bastos et al. (2017) and compare the radiographic findings for the two ages. Radiographs of 76 male and female TB yearlings from Paraná State, Southern Brazil, were investigated. The proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal (MC/MT), tarsal, and femorotibial (FT) joints were evaluated using 24 radiographic projections. The evaluation consisted of a severit...
Skiöldebrand E, Adepu S, Lützelschwab C, Nyström S, Lindahl A, Abrahamsson-Aurell K, Hansson E.This study aimed to test a novel treatment combination (TC) (equivalent to sildenafil, mepivacaine, and glucose) with disease-modifying properties compared to Celestone® bifas® (CB) in a randomized triple-blinded phase III clinical study in horses with mild osteoarthritis (OA). Joint biomarkers (reflecting the articular cartilage and subchondral bone remodelling) and clinical lameness were used as readouts to evaluate the treatment efficacy. Unassigned: Twenty horses with OA-associated lameness in the carpal joint were included in the study and received either TC (n = 10) or CB (n = ...
Osborne AC, Carter SD, May SA, Bennett D.An investigation was made into the possible contribution of autoimmune mechanisms to equine arthropathies. Serum and synovial fluid (SF) immune complexes and anti-collagen Type II antibodies were measured, by ELISA, in groups of horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), bone fracture, traumatised joints, synovitis, infected joints and non-diseased (control) joints. Significantly raised anti-collagen Type II antibodies were found in osteoarthritic (P < 0.02) and traumatised joint synovial fluids (P < 0.01) compared with the control, where ten of...
Berg LC, Lenz J, Kjelgaard-Hansen M, Thomsen PD, Jacobsen S.More sensitive and specific diagnostic methods for early detection of changes in the joint cartilage are needed. Cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP) is a potential marker of cartilage synthesis and regeneration. This is the first study on equine CD-RAP. Objective: To evaluate the ability of a commercially available human sandwich ELISA assay to detect equine CD-RAP in synovial fluid from healthy and diseased joints. Methods: Synovial fluid was collected from 28 horses with no signs of joint disease and from 5 with induced inflammatory arthritis. CD-RAP concentrations wer...
Boorman S, Hanson RR, Velloso Alvarez A, Zhong K, Hofmeister E, Boone LH.To determine the effect of concurrent versus delayed treatment with corticosteroid on equine articular tissues also treated with local anesthetic in vitro in the presence of inflammatory mediators. Methods: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Five geldings, one mare (aged 3-18 years). Methods: From each horse, 24 synovial and 12 osteochondral explants were cultured in a 12-well plate (2 wells/group, 2 synovial and 1 osteochondral explant/well, total 216 explants in the study). Explants were stimulated in culture medium with 10 μg/ml recombinant equine interleukin-1β and 10 μg/ml tumor...
Brusie RW, Sullins KE, White NA, Coffin PC, Parker GA, Anver MR, Rosenberger JL.This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate (SH) with antibiotic therapy and joint lavage for reducing acute inflammatory and degenerative changes induced by septic arthritis. Septic arthritis was induced in six adult horses by inoculating the tarsocrural joints with 1 x 10(4) colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus. When clinical signs appeared, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (30 mg/kg bodyweight [bwt] daily) and phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg bwt sid) were administered and continued until termination of the study (Treatment Day 18). Twenty-four hours post inocul...
Nixon AJ.Periarticular anatomy and techniques for arthroscopic access to the equine elbow were studied in six joints from cadavers. Caudomedial and craniolateral approaches were evaluated subsequently in 11 anesthetized horses. The caudomedial approach was made between the flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscle bellies. Most of the caudal articular surfaces of the humeral condyles, the caudal perimeter of the radius, and the trochlear notch and portions of the anconeal process of the ulna could be identified. The voluminous caudal joint capsule cul-de-sac proximal to the anconeal process...
Semevolos SA, Nixon AJ, Goodrich LR, Ducharme NG.To determine clinical and radiographic findings in and treatment and outcome of large animals with shoulder joint luxations. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 5 horses, 3 goats, 1 calf, 1 sheep, 1 Himalayan tahr, 1 pot-bellied pig, 1 reindeer, and 1 white-tailed deer. Methods: Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to determine signalment, history, physical examination findings, type of luxation, treatment, and outcome. Owners and referring veterinarians were contracted for follow-up information. Results: Goats, sexually intact males, and animals < 1 year old were overrepresente...
Duesterdieck-Zellmer KF, Moneta L, Ott JF, Larson MK, Gorman EM, Hunter B, Löhr CV, Payton ME, Morré JT, Maier CS.To determine effects of intraarticularly administered tiludronate on articular cartilage in vivo, eight healthy horses were injected once with tiludronate (low dose tiludronate [LDT] 0.017 mg, n = 4; high dose tiludronate [HDT] 50 mg, n = 4) into one middle carpal joint and with saline into the contralateral joint. Arthrocentesis of both middle carpal joints was performed pre-treatment, and 10 min, 24 h, 48 h, 7 and 14 days after treatment. Synovial nucleated cell counts and total solids, tiludronate, sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG), chondroitin sulfate 846 epitope (CS-846, a measure of aggr...
Gudehus T, Sod GA, Riggs LM, Mitchell CF, Martin GS.To compare the mean number of cycles to failure under axial compression of equine proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis constructs created by 2 parallel transarticular Acutrak Plus screws (AP-TS) or 2 parallel transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion (AO-TLS). Methods: Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of 2 methods of stabilizing cadaveric adult equine forelimb PIP joints. Methods: Cadaveric adult equine forelimbs (n=5 pairs). Methods: For each forelimb pair, 1 PIP joint was stabilized with AP-TS and 1 with AP-TLS. The 5 construct pairs were tested for cycli...
Svalastoga E, Nielsen K.The histopathological changes in the synovial membrane of bursa podotrochlearis are described in horses with navicular disease. The changes are compared to the histopathological findings in synovial membrane of arthrotic pastern joints in horses and of arthrotic hips in man. A high degree of concordance is demonstrated and this suggests that navicular disease is an arthrotic disease.
Todhunter RJ, Fubini SL, Vernier-Singer M, Wootton JA, Lust G, Freeman KP, MacLeod JN.To determine how acute synovitis, with and without intra-articular methylprednisolone acetate (MPA), affect synthesis of proteoglycan, total protein, and collagen in articular cartilage and total protein synthesis in synovial membrane. Methods: Synovitis was induced in 10 ponies by the injection of 0.5 ng lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the left radiocarpal and midcarpal joints every 2 days for a total of four treatments. Synovitis was documented by clinical examination and synovial fluid analyses. Two days before euthanasia, MPA (0.1 mg/kg) was injected with the last dose of LPS into both the l...
