Evaluation of the rate of development of septic arthritis after elective arthroscopy in horses: 7 cases (1994-2003).

The research article looks into the likelihood of horses developing septic arthritis following elective arthroscopy, and examines the factors that may influence this complication. This retrospective study was conducted at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital on 682 horses, excluding those with an existing primary issue of septic arthritis or joint-related wounds.

Research Methodology

• The research was undertaken retrospectively with 682 horses that had undergone arthroscopic procedures at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1994 to 2003.
• The data involved for this research included information about the horse’s breed and sex, the joints treated, whether antimicrobials were administered, and if postoperative septic arthritis had occurred.
• Horses that had a prime issue of septic arthritis or wounds involving the joints were not included in the study.
• Various factors, including breed, sex, joint treated, and the administration of antimicrobials preoperatively and intra-articularly, were examined to understand their correlation with joint sepsis.
• Further to this, telephone interviews were conducted with clients to check whether cases of septic arthritis might have gone unreported.

Findings of the Study

• The research findings indicated that postoperative septic arthritis developed in 0.9% of joints and in 1.0% of horses that underwent arthroscopy.
• Information after hospital discharge was available for 461 out of 682 horses, and among them, 1.3% of joints and 1.5% of horses developed septic arthritis.
• Notably, the breed of the horse and the treated joint were found to be significant risk factors for developing postoperative septic arthritis.
• Draft breeds and tibiotarsal joints were found to be more likely to be affected.
• Contrarily, the sex of the horse and the administration of antimicrobials either preoperatively or intra-articularly did not demonstrate a correlation with the development of postoperative septic arthritis.

Conclusions and Implications

• The conclusions of the study suggest that breed and joint treated are significant risk factors for postoperative septic arthritis in horses after arthroscopy.
• These findings will be useful for comparison with data from other institutions and surgical facilities.
• The study also points out that extra caution should be taken when conducting arthroscopy on draft breeds and tibiotarsal joints.