Arthroscopic anatomy of the equine cervical articular process joints.

This research article details an arthroscopic method for examining the cervical articular process joints (APJs) in horses, which had not been documented previously. The article shows that this method is practical, and it might give more diagnostic information than traditional techniques.

Methods

• The researchers first reviewed the regional anatomy and developed a technique using fresh cadaver necks.
• A series of cadaveric APJ arthroscopies was performed to evaluate the procedure, from C2-C3 to C6-C7, which are labels denoting the various vertebrae in the equine neck.
• The method was then applied in three real case situations.
• The researchers documented the procedure and the potential difficulties encountered.

Results

• The equine APJ is structured with cranioventral and caudodorsal recesses. A single entry point at one of these points enabled them to assess nearly all the cartilage surfaces and the synovial membrane along with its villi. The synovial membrane is a soft tissue that lines the joint spaces which has small, villi-like projections on its surface.
• In both the cadaveric APJs and in the three clinical cases, the researchers were able to gain successful entry into both recesses. In total, they accessed 22 cadaveric APJs and 5 clinical APJs.
• Furthermore, an instrument portal was created to examine the feasibility of surgical arthroscopy.
• Potential complications were minor, and the dissection of the APJs after the arthroscopic exploration showed that the cartilage and the surrounding neurovascular structures were not damaged during the procedure.

Conclusion

• This study proves that arthroscopic examination of equine cervical APJs is feasible, and it can be conducted in mature horses because the method found in this research does not damage cartilage or periarticular neurovascular structures.
• The researchers proposed that this technique might provide additional diagnostic information than traditional diagnostic techniques used for APJs arthropathy, which is a common ailment.