Arthrographic analysis of communication between the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints of the horse.

This study investigates the internal anatomy of horse tarsus (ankle) joints using radiography and computer tomography scans. It reveals that in a significant portion of cases, the tarsometatarsal joint has shown communication with the distal intertarsal joint, irrespective of the volume or pressure of contrast material used.

Research Methods

• The study examined the intricate anatomy of the horse tarsus using state-of-the-art techniques like contrast radiography aided by image intensification as well as computerized tomography.
• A total of 103 horse tarsi (ankle joints) were included in this study. Their anatomy was examined through the aforementioned technologies to understand the communication between the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints.
• In addition to the radiographic examination, the research team employed arthrograms (X-ray images of a joint after injection of a contrast medium) of the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints to understand any connection between the two.
• The impact of different variables during the examination, such as the volume of the contrast agent and the pressure of injection, was also assessed.

Key Findings

• The study found communication between the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints in a notable percentage of cases. Specifically, in 38% of the interpretable tarsometatarsal arthrograms and in 23% of interpretable distal intertarsal arthrograms.
• However, the researchers concluded that there was no significant difference between these two proportions.
• The research also revealed that the volume of the contrast agent and the pressure of injection had no significant impact on the communication between the two joints. This suggests that the observed communication is a natural phenomenon rather than being induced by experimental conditions.
• Forced injection was reported to sometimes lead to subcutaneous leakage of the contrast medium, but did not lead to joint communication.
• The researchers identified that the tarsal canal and the space between certain tarsal bones served as the main routes for the observed communication.
• Lastly, an effective procedure for accessing the distal intertarsal joint via dorsomedial injection was proposed, with the only exception being cases with severe periosteal proliferations.