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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Diagnostic needle arthroscopy of the scapulohumeral joint in...
Veterinary surgery : VS2020; 50(1); 29-37; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13529

Diagnostic needle arthroscopy of the scapulohumeral joint in standing sedated horses.

Abstract: To describe the technique to perform diagnostic standing scapulohumeral joint needle arthroscopy with a 1.2-mm-diameter arthroscope in horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Eight thoracic limbs in phase 1 and six horses in phase 2. Methods: In phase 1, the feasibility of the technique was evaluated by using a craniolateral arthroscopic approach. An evaluation of the visible structures of the scapulohumeral joint was performed with both a needle arthroscope and a 4-mm-diameter arthroscope. In phase 2, the technique was performed in six healthy sedated horses to validate the technique in live animals and to report any complications or limitations. Results: In phase 1, joint evaluation was similar between arthroscopes and allowed complete evaluation of approximately the lateral half of the humeral head and the lateral glenoid rim. In phase 2, all joints were successfully accessed, and fluid extravasation was mild. Arthroscopic visualization was complete for the centrolateral aspect of the joint in all horses and either complete (3/6) or partial (3/6) for the craniolateral and caudolateral structures, respectively. The procedure was rapidly performed and well tolerated, and no postoperative complications occurred. Conclusions: The described technique was simple and allowed direct inspection of the scapulohumeral joint. Nonetheless, the standing nature of the technique prevents evaluation of the medial aspect of the humeral head and most of the glenoid cavity. Conclusions: Needle arthroscopy of the scapulohumeral joint is feasible in horses and offers a diagnostic technique that may improve the surgeon's diagnostic ability for certain shoulder pathologies.
© 2020 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-19 PubMed ID: 33074573DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13529Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research reports on a method for performing diagnostic standing scapulohumeral joint needle arthroscopy with a 1.2-mm-diameter arthroscope in horses. The technique demonstrated its efficacy in examining parts of the joint, though it does have limitations due to the animal’s standing state.

Objective and Methods

  • The study was divided into two phases, tested both on thoracic limbs and then on six sedated horses. The main objective of the research was to confirm the feasibility of performing needle arthroscopy of the scapulohumeral joint in standing horses.
  • In the first phase, an experimental approach was used on eight thoracic limbs to evaluate the possibility of using the technique.
  • During the evaluation, the researchers compared the capabilities of a needle arthroscope and a larger, 4-mm-diameter arthroscope. They inspected the visible structures of the scapulohumeral joint using both of these instruments.
  • In the second phase, they validated the effectiveness of the technique on six live and sedated horses. They also took note of any complications or anything that limited the procedure’s success.

Results

  • The evaluation of the joint was similar between the needle arthroscope and the 4-mm diameter arthroscope in phase 1.
  • This examination allowed a comprehensive evaluation of approximately the lateral half of the humeral head and the lateral glenoid rim.
  • In phase 2, all scapulohumeral joints were successfully accessed without any significant complications. Arthroscopic visualization was completely executed for the centrolateral aspect of the joint in all horses, while the craniolateral and caudolateral structures were either completely or partially visible.
  • The method was quickly executed, well-tolerated, and didn’t lead to any post-operative complications.

Conclusions

  • The research concludes that the technique described is straightforward and permits direct inspection of the scapulohumeral joint.
  • However, due to the horse’s standing position during the procedure, the technique does not allow for the evaluation of the medial aspect of the humeral head and most of the glenoid cavity.
  • Needle arthroscopy of the scapulohumeral joint is feasible in horses and provides a potential means for more precise diagnoses of certain shoulder pathologies in these animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Pouyet M, Bonilla AG. (2020). Diagnostic needle arthroscopy of the scapulohumeral joint in standing sedated horses. Vet Surg, 50(1), 29-37. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13529

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 1
Pages: 29-37

Researcher Affiliations

Pouyet, Morgane
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Bonilla, Alvaro G
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arthroscopy / instrumentation
  • Arthroscopy / methods
  • Arthroscopy / veterinary
  • Cadaver
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Needles / veterinary
  • Shoulder Joint / surgery

Grant Funding

  • Centennial Funds and Equine Health Funds of the College of Veterinary Medicine of Universitu00e9 de Montru00e9al supported by Zoetis.

References

This article includes 17 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Carmalt JL, Pimentel KL. The Equine Temporomandibular Joint: Comparisons Between Standard and Needle Arthroscopic Examination of Cadaver Specimens and Standing Horses. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:876041.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.876041pubmed: 35558885google scholar: lookup
  2. Kerbert MP, Delling U, Verhaar N. Gross anatomy, computed tomographic contrast tenography, and needle endoscopy of the equine medial digital flexor tendon sheath. Vet Surg 2025 Aug;54(6):1133-1144.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.14263pubmed: 40223504google scholar: lookup
  3. Breen LJ, Stack JD, Gillen AM, Baldwin CM. Needle tenoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath in a standing equine cadaver model using a novel approach and guided palmar/plantar annular ligament desmotomy. Vet Surg 2025 Apr;54(3):524-533.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.14213pubmed: 39911071google scholar: lookup
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