Comparison of arthroscopic approaches and accessible anatomic structures during arthroscopy of the caudal pouches of equine femorotibial joints.

The research paper discusses a new approach to arthroscopy of equine femorotibial joints and its effects on viewing critical internal structures. However, the research cautions against this approach with the lateral femorotibial joint due to potential nerve damage.

Objective and Methods

• The research aims to describe a new posterior approach to arthroscopy on equine femorotibial (FT) joints and its implications on viewing the intricate details of the caudal compartments of the medial and lateral FT joint.
• The study used equine hindlimbs (36 cadaveric limbs from 26 horses and 11 hind limbs from 6 live horses) to conduct this investigation. They dissected 8 stifles and injected 10 FT joints with silicone.
• Arthroscopic exploration of 29 hindlimbs was performed following which a dissecting procedure was employed to determine the structures and sites affected by the entry.

Results and Conclusions

• Results showed that implementing a more caudal or posterior approach to the caudal pouch of the medial FT led to improved anatomical observation. This approach facilitated easy viewing of the caudal cruciate ligament and the caudal horn of the medial meniscus which are crucial internal structures in horses.
• However, while using a more posterior method with the caudal pouch of the lateral FT joint, there were instances of damage to the common peroneal nerve. This was circumvented when the researchers returned to the previously established method, which avoided any damage.
• The study concludes that the alternative caudomedial arthroscopic approach can significantly improve surgical assessment of injuries to the meniscus or the caudal cruciate ligament. Nevertheless, this method comes with an inherent risk when applied to the lateral FT joint due to the variable location of the common peroneal nerve and potential for damage, especially if the limb is minimally flexed or bent.