Closed suction drainage in the treatment of infectious arthritis of the equine tarsocrural joint.

This research study explores the efficacy of closed suction drainage in treating infectious arthritis in horses’ tarsocrural joint, with many reaching their previous performance level post-treatment, indicating the method’s potential effectiveness.

Research Method and Treatment

• The researchers treated infectious arthritis of the tarsocrural joint (ankle joint) in 13 horses using a combination of closed suction drainage, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and bandage immobilization.
• This procedure involves the use of a flat, fenestrated, latex (Jackson-Pratt) drain for the suction process.
• In 11 of the horses, arthroscopic lavage (cleaning) and debridement (removal of damaged tissue) were also performed.
• Ingress drains were placed in six horses for lavage — a process of washing out an organ, in this case, the joint.

Findings and Results

• Among the treated horses, ten returned to their previous level of competition or were sound, implying that the treatment was successful.
• However, one horse experienced continuing lameness in the affected joint and had to drop a racing class, suggesting that the treatment did not completely restore the joint’s health.
• Sadly, one horse had to be euthanized due to the development of laminitis in the supporting limb, an unrelated but serious condition where the horse’s hoof tissue becomes inflamed.
• Another horse remained lame after the treatment but was still useful as a breeding animal.

Efficacy and Recommendations

• The study concludes that closed suction drainage is a worthwhile treatment in horses with infectious arthritis as it led to a good recovery in a significant proportion of the horses.
• While arthroscopy was not necessary for the overall process, the procedure facilitated fibrin removal, lavage, and partial synovectomy, thus enhancing the treatment’s effect.
• However, the study notes that Pseudomonas superinfection developed in one horse. This outcome led the researchers to advise against the use of simultaneous ingress catheters in the treatment procedure.