Anatomy of the distal interphalangeal joint of the mature horse: relationships with navicular suspensory ligaments, sensory nerves and neurovascular bundle.
Abstract: The anatomy of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint in the adult horse is described in relationship to the suspensory ligaments of the navicular bone, the neurovascular bundle and the sensory nerves to these periarticular regions. Using polymer plastic injections, the synovial cavity of the DIP joint was observed to have a complex relationship to the proximal suspensory or collateral sesamoidean ligament (CSL) of the navicular bone with the cavity forming cranial and caudal compartments around the CSL abaxially. Sensory nerves, as identified by peptide immunocytochemistry and silver/gold chloride axonal impregnation, were present superficially throughout the dorsal and palmar parts of the CSL, the distal sesamoidean impar ligament and in the periarticular connective tissues. These anatomical observations provide support for the idea that a DIP joint injection of local anaesthetic cannot be considered to be selective for only the joint surfaces, but must be considered also to desensitise much of the navicular suspensory apparatus, navicular bone and proximal intramedullary portions of the distal phalanx. However, while a DIP joint injection is not selective for only the joint surfaces, we believe that it is useful in terms of the diagnosis of painful sensations arising from parts of the navicular bone, the suspensory apparatus and proximal positions of the distal phalanx. These anatomical findings are discussed in terms of the potential effects of local anaesthesia injected into the DIP joint with known clinical and necropsy observations of Dyson and Kidd (1993).
Publication Date: 1997-03-01 PubMed ID: 9104562DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01654.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article elucidates the complex anatomical structure of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint in grown horses, particularly its connections with navicular suspensory ligaments, sensory nerves, and the neurovascular bundle. The study shows that anesthetic injected into this joint can desensitize much of the horse’s foot, thus assisting in diagnosing foot pain.
Anatomy of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint
- The research focuses on the anatomy of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint in adult horses. Using polymer plastic injections to visualize the joint, the scientists noticed a complex relationship with the proximal suspensory or collateral sesamoidean ligament (CSL) of the navicular bone, which is an essential part of a horse’s hoof.
- The synovial cavity of the DIP joint forms cranial (towards the head) and caudal (towards the tail) compartments around the CSL abaxially (outside the axis of the body).
Presence of Sensory Nerves
- In addition to the CSL, sensory nerves were identified in the dorsal (upper side) and palmar (lower side) parts of CSL, the distal sesamoidean impar ligament (providing a supportive connection for the joint), and the periarticular connective tissues (around the joint).
- These nerves were identified through peptide immunocytochemistry (a staining technique for the identification of proteins in cells) and silver/gold chloride axonal impregnation (a method used to stain nerve fibers).
Implications of the Findings
- The findings provide evidence that when local anesthesia is injected into the DIP joint, it does not only affect the joint surfaces. Instead, it desensitizes an extended area of the navicular bone, the navicular suspensory apparatus, and the proximal intramedullary (inside the marrow) segments of the distal phalanx (a bone located in the foot).
- Though the DIP joint injection is not selective solely for the joint surfaces, the researchers believe it to be beneficial in diagnosing pain originating from the navicular bone, suspensory apparatus, and proximal aspects of the distal phalanx.
- These findings are then discussed through correlation with local anesthesia’s potential effects injected into the DIP joint with known clinical observations.
Cite This Article
APA
Bowker RM, Linder K, Van Wulfen KK, Sonea IM.
(1997).
Anatomy of the distal interphalangeal joint of the mature horse: relationships with navicular suspensory ligaments, sensory nerves and neurovascular bundle.
Equine Vet J, 29(2), 126-135.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01654.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Carpus, Animal / anatomy & histology
- Connective Tissue / anatomy & histology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Joints / anatomy & histology
- Ligaments / anatomy & histology
- Neurons, Afferent / cytology
- Synovial Membrane / anatomy & histology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Malacarne BD, Cota LO, Neto ACP, Paz CFR, Dias LA, Corrêa MG, Carvalho AM, Faleiros RR, Xavier ABS. Mechanical nociceptive assessment of the equine hoof following distal interphalangeal joint intra-articular anesthesia.. PeerJ 2020;8:e9469.
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