Core decompression of the equine navicular bone: an in vivo study in healthy horses.
Abstract: To determine the physiologic response of the equine navicular bone to core decompression surgery in healthy horses. Methods: Experimental in vivo study. Methods: Healthy adult horses (n=6). Methods: Core decompression was completed by creating three 2.5-mm-diameter drill channels into the navicular bone under arthroscopic control. The venous (P(V)), arterial (P(A)), articular (P(DIPJ)), and intraosseous pressures (IOP) were recorded before and after decompression drilling. Each IOP measurement consisted of a baseline (IOP(B)) and a stress test (intramedullary injection of saline solution, IOP(S)) recording. Lameness was assessed subjectively and using force plate gait analysis. Fluorochrome bone labeling was performed. Horses were euthanatized at 12 weeks. Navicular bone mineral density (BMD) was measured, and bone histology evaluated. Results: Peak IOP (IOP(max)) after stress testing was significantly (P<.05) reduced immediately after core decompression; however, the magnitude of these effects was decreased at 3 and 6 weeks after decompression. A significant (P<.05) correlation existed between IOP(max) and BMD. No lameness was observed beyond the first week after surgery. Substantial remodeling and neovascularization was evident adjacent the surgery sites. Conclusions: Navicular bone core decompression surgery reduced IOP(max), and, with the exception of a mild short-lived lameness, caused no other adverse effects in healthy horses during the 12-week study period.
© Copyright 2011 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2011-01-11 PubMed ID: 21223312DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2010.00765.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article describes a study conducted to understand the physical response of the equine navicular bone to a specific surgery, core decompression, in healthy horses. The findings suggest that the surgery effectively reduced intraosseous pressure (IOP) without causing any significant adverse effects beyond short-term lameness that subsided after the first week.
About the study
- The study was an in vivo experiment conducted on a group of six healthy adult horses for a duration of twelve weeks.
- The key technique used in the study was core decompression surgery. This involved creating three drill channels, each 2.5mm in diameter, into the navicular bone under arthroscopic control.
- Venous, arterial, articular and intraosseous pressure measurements (IOP) of the horses were documented before and after the procedure.
- The intraosseous pressure measurements comprised of a baseline recording and a stress test, which involved an intramedullary injection of saline solution.
- Post-surgery, the horses’ lameness was evaluated both subjectively and using force plate gait analysis.
- The researchers labelled the horses’ bones with fluorochrome in order to trace the changes, if any, over the course of the study.
- At the conclusion of the study, the horses were euthanized, and the navicular bone mineral density (BMD) was measured. The bone’s histology was also duly evaluated.
Research results
- There was a significant reduction in the peak intraosseous pressure (IOPmax) following core decompression. The effects of this were most prominent immediately after surgery but decreased gradually over three to six weeks.
- A noteworthy correlation was found between intraosseous pressure and the navicular bone mineral density.
- The horses only experienced mild lameness after the surgery, but this condition did not last beyond the first week.
- The bone histology exhibited substantial re-modeling and new blood vessel formation (neovascularization) adjacent to the surgical sites.
Study Conclusions
- The study concludes that core decompression surgery was effective in reducing intraosseous pressure in the equine navicular bone.
- The only adverse effect observed was a mild lameness, which subsided after the first week.
- The surgery did not cause any other adverse effects in the health of the horses over the twelve week study period.
Cite This Article
APA
Jenner F, Kirker-Head C.
(2011).
Core decompression of the equine navicular bone: an in vivo study in healthy horses.
Vet Surg, 40(2), 151-162.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2010.00765.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Surgery, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. florien.jenner@ucd.ie
MeSH Terms
- Absorptiometry, Photon
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Blood Pressure
- Bone Density
- Decompression, Surgical / adverse effects
- Decompression, Surgical / veterinary
- Dissection
- Gait
- Horses / surgery
- Lameness, Animal
- Male
- Phlebography
- Tarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Tarsal Bones / pathology
- Tarsal Bones / physiology
- Tarsal Bones / surgery
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Brock BA, Greer HR, Honnas CM, Gilleland BE, Barrett MF, Moore JN, Cohen ND. A Randomized, Self-Controlled Case Series Evaluating Core Osteostixis of Osseous Cyst-Like Lesions of the Navicular Bone to Improve Lameness in Horses with Podotrochlear Syndrome.. Vet Med (Auckl) 2023;14:35-46.
- Richbourg HA, Mitchell CF, Gillett AN, McNulty MA. Tiludronate and clodronate do not affect bone structure or remodeling kinetics over a 60 day randomized trial.. BMC Vet Res 2018 Mar 20;14(1):105.
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