Evaluation of a minimally invasive arthrodesis technique for the carpometacarpal joint in horses.

This research evaluated the effectiveness of a minimally invasive surgical technique called arthrodesis on horses’ carpometacarpal (CMC) joints. The procedure did not yield positive results for all the horse subjects, suggesting the need for modifications or application on horses with CMC osteoarthritis.

Methodology

• The researchers implemented an experimental study on six healthy horses.
• A 5.5 mm, 3-drill tract arthrodesis technique was executed on one randomly chosen CMC joint in each horse.
• They recorded peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF) values before the surgery and then 6, 8 and 12 months post-surgery.
• Clinical lameness and radiographic scores were also evaluated at regular intervals until one year after the operation.
• The horses were euthanized after this time and detailed examinations were performed on the treated CMC joints.

Results

• The surgery resulted in lameness in all the horses.
• Nonly 2 horses showed clinical resolution of lameness by the 12 month follow-up.
• The mean peak vertical GRF values significantly varied between treated and untreated limbs at all recorded intervals post-surgery.
• Radiographic scores varied significantly from day zero at all subsequent times post-surgery, yet they did not change significantly after 4 months.
• Only two horses developed intraarticular bony ankylosis, based on thorough observation of sagittal sections of the operated CMC joints.

Conclusions

• The 5.5 mm, 3-drill tract arthrodesis technique was deemed successful in only 2 of 6 treated CMC joints.
• The authors suggest that greater articular damage might be necessary to achieve arthrodesis in normal horses.
• They further propose that better results may be achieved through technique modification or in treating horses suffering from CMC osteoarthritis.