Comparison of arthroscopy and arthrotomy for the treatment of osteochondritic lesions in the femoropatellar joint of horses.
Abstract: Forty-eight horses with osteochondritic lesions of the femoropatellar joint were treated, 23 of them by an arthrotomy and 25 by arthroscopy. Follow-up information was obtained from either the owner or the referring veterinarian by telephone inquiry. There were no statistical differences between the groups of horses undergoing the two procedures with regard to age, sex, breed, the involvement of one or both limbs, the size of the lesion, and the duration of either the surgery or anaesthesia. However, the horses treated by an arthrotomy spent 14.5 days in hospital after the operation whereas those treated by arthroscopy spent only three days. Nineteen of the horses treated by arthroscopy were able to pursue athletic activities and a further five were expected to enter training in the future, whereas only 12 of the horses treated by an arthrotomy were suitable for their intended use (P < 0.05). When the severity of the lesions was considered, the success rate after an arthrotomy deteriorated with increasing severity, whereas the success rate after arthroscopy remained at a high level. Fourteen of the 16 owners of horses treated by an arthrotomy who replied to the question considered that the horses had a palpable scar, a femoropatellar effusion or both, whereas only two of the horses treated by arthroscopy (8 per cent) were considered to have had a poor cosmetic outcome (P < 0.05).
Publication Date: 1995-12-16 PubMed ID: 8693672
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article examines the comparative outcomes of arthrotomy and arthroscopy in the treatment of osteochondritic lesions in horses’ femoropatellar joint. The study’s findings favor arthroscopy on factors such as hospitalization time, return to athletic activities, and cosmetic outcomes.
Objective of the study
- The research was aimed at comparing the outcomes and efficiency of two surgical procedures, arthroscopy and arthrotomy, in treating osteochondritic lesions in horses’ femoropatellar joint.
Study Design
- 48 horses with osteochondritic lesions were selected for the study. Of these, 23 were treated through arthrotomy and 25 via arthroscopy.
- For objectivity, no statistical differences were present between the groups in terms of age, sex, breed, the size of the lesion, or the duration of surgery and anesthesia.
- Follow-up information was collected through telephone inquiries from either the owner or the referring veterinarian.
Results
- Post-operative hospitalization was significantly shorter for horses treated via arthroscopy (3 days) as compared to those treated via arthrotomy (14.5 days).
- The proportion of horses that could return to athletic activities post-surgery was also significantly higher in the arthroscopy group. Here, 19 horses could resume athletic activities, and 5 were expected to train in future, as against only 12 horses in the arthrotomy group.
- When compared in terms of lesion severity, the success rate of arthrotomy decreased with increasing severity while that of arthroscopy remained high.
- Owners also perceived a better cosmetic outcome in the arthroscopy group with only 8% horses being considered to have a poor outcome compared to a much higher rate in the arthrotomy group. Fourteen out of sixteen owners reported noticeable scars or joint effusion in horses treated via arthrotomy.
Implications
- The findings suggest that arthroscopy may be a more advantageous surgical procedure for treating osteochondritic lesions in horses’ femoropatellar joint. Advantages include shorter hospital stays, higher likelihood of returning to athletic activities, consistently high success rates regardless of lesion severity, and better cosmetic outcomes.
- The study could significantly influence veterinary surgical decisions for the treatment of osteochondritic lesions in horses, favoring arthroscopy over arthrotomy.
Cite This Article
APA
Vatistas NJ, Wright IM, Dyson SJ.
(1995).
Comparison of arthroscopy and arthrotomy for the treatment of osteochondritic lesions in the femoropatellar joint of horses.
Vet Rec, 137(25), 629-632.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Clinical Unit, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Female
- Femur / surgery
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Joint Diseases / surgery
- Joint Diseases / veterinary
- Male
- Osteochondritis / surgery
- Osteochondritis / veterinary
- Patella / surgery
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Fubini SL, Erb HN, Freeman KP, Todhunter RJ. Prognostic factors affecting survival of 507 horses with joint disease: (1983 to 1990).. Can J Vet Res 1999 Oct;63(4):253-60.
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