A modified Cloward’s technique for arthrodesis of the normal metacarpophalangeal joint in the horse.
Abstract: A modified Cloward's technique was performed for arthrodesis of one metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in eight horses. Dorsal arthrotomies were performed medial and lateral to the common digital extensor tendon and two 16 mm holes were drilled through the joint. A perforated cylindrical stainless steel basket filled with cancellous bone was impacted into each hole. The limbs were supported in casts for 8 weeks. The joints were examined and radiographed at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 months, and 10 months. One horse was euthanatized at week 14 to assess the progress of the arthrodesis. In the other seven horses, there was clinical fusion at month 6. Dynamographic evaluations were performed 11 months after surgery at the walk and trot. The maximum vertical forces exerted during weight bearing by treated and control limbs were compared. No difference was detected at the walk; however, a significant difference was present at the trot (p less than 0.05). It was calculated that at the trot the horses placed 90% as much force on the treated limb as on the control limb. Eleven months after surgery, the baskets contained compact and cancellous bone. Ingrowth of bone occurred through all openings, completely filling the baskets and fusing the joints.
Publication Date: 1988-05-01 PubMed ID: 3238884DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1988.tb00289.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Animal Health
- Animal Studies
- Arthrodesis
- Case Reports
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint
- Musculoskeletal System
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
- Post-Operative Period
- Radiology
- Rehabilitation
- Surgery
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research article evaluates a modified surgical technique called Cloward’s technique in treating horse joint dysfunction. It focuses on how effective the modified technique is in inducing arthrodesis – the fusing of joints, specifically in the horse’s metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint.
Methodology
- The modified Cloward’s surgery was tested on eight horses with normal MCP joints.
- During the surgery, dorsal arthrotomies (incisions into the joints) were performed from the medial and lateral sides to the common digital extensor tendon.
- Two holes, each of 16 mm, were drilled through the joint, and a cylindrical stainless steel basket filled with cancellous bone (spongy bone) was impacted into each hole.
- After the surgery, the horses’ limbs were supported in casts for a duration of 8 weeks. The progress of the arthrodesis was monitored over several timeframes; four weeks, eight weeks, six months, and ten months.
Results
- One horse was euthanatized at 14 weeks post-surgery to closely assess the progress of joint fusion.
- The remaining seven horses displayed significant progress, with clinical fusion observed at the 6-month mark.
- Dynamographic evaluations (which measure forces exerted by limbs during movement) were performed eleven months post-surgery at the walk and trot.
- Comparative analysis between the treated and control limbs revealed no significant difference in maximum vertical forces during walk.
- However, a discernible difference was observed during trot, with the horses exerting about 90% as much force on the treated limb as compared to the control limb, indicating a slight impairment in function.
Conclusion
- A post-surgery examination determined that the joints contained a mix of compact and cancellous bone at eleven months after surgery.
- Additionally, bone ingrowth was observed through all openings in the steel baskets, suggesting that the joints have been fully fused (arthrodesis).
- Overall, the modified Cloward’s technique proved to be a very promising method for inducing successful arthrodesis in the horse’s MCP joint.
Cite This Article
APA
Crawley GR, Grant BD, White KK, Barbee DD, Gallina AM, Ratzlaff MH.
(1988).
A modified Cloward’s technique for arthrodesis of the normal metacarpophalangeal joint in the horse.
Vet Surg, 17(3), 117-127.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950x.1988.tb00289.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthrodesis / veterinary
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic / veterinary
- Forelimb
- Horse Diseases
- Horses / surgery
- Joints / surgery
- Male
- Metacarpus / diagnostic imaging
- Metacarpus / surgery
- Postoperative Care / veterinary
- Radiography
- Sesamoid Bones / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Phan K, Mobbs RJ. Evolution of Design of Interbody Cages for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.. Orthop Surg 2016 Aug;8(3):270-7.
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