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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Needle arthroscopy of the radiocarpal and middle carpal join...
Veterinary surgery : VS2020; 49(5); 894-904; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13430

Needle arthroscopy of the radiocarpal and middle carpal joints in standing sedated horses.

Abstract: To develop a technique for standing diagnostic needle arthroscopy of the radiocarpal and middle carpal joints in standing sedated horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Six cadaveric forelimbs (phase 1) and six healthy horses (phase 2). Methods: In phase 1, six cadaveric forelimbs were used to assess needle arthroscopic evaluation of both joints. Six healthy horses were subsequently enrolled in phase 2 to validate the procedure in live animals. The joint was maintained in flexion with a custom-made splint and base. Results: In phase 1, needle arthroscopy allowed thorough evaluation of the dorsal and palmar recesses of both joints with traditional arthroscopic portals. In phase 2, joint evaluation was also thorough but only dorsal approaches were performed. All horses underwent radiocarpal joint arthroscopy, whereas the middle carpal joint was evaluated in only three of six horses because of limb movement. The technique was quickly performed and well tolerated by all horses. Complications included moderate movement, mild iatrogenic cartilage damage, and mild hemarthrosis. Conclusions: Standing needle arthroscopy allowed thorough evaluation of the dorsal aspect of both joints, although only three of six middle carpal joints were assessed because of movement limitations. Conclusions: The proposed technique offers an alternative diagnostic tool for radiographically silent intra-articular lesions of the carpus while initially avoiding the cost and risks associated with general anesthesia. Arthroscopy of a single joint is recommended to minimize risks associated with movement during the procedure.
© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-25 PubMed ID: 32333682DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13430Google 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 study aimed to develop a method for performing needle arthroscopy of the radiocarpal and middle carpal joints in sedated, standing horses, offering an alternative method for diagnosing silent intra-articular lesions, whilst avoiding the risks and costs of general anesthesia.

Research Methodology

  • The study was divided into two phases. In phase one, six cadaveric horse forelimbs were used to assess the feasibility of needle arthroscopic examination of both radiocarpal and middle carpal joints.
  • Phase 2 involved six live horses to test and further validate the procedure. During the procedure, the horses’ joint was kept flexed using a custom-made splint and base.

Research Findings

  • In phase one, results revealed that needle arthroscopy provided a comprehensive evaluation of dorsal (back) and palmar (front) recesses of both joints using traditional arthroscopic portals.
  • In phase two, the joint evaluation was also thorough, but only dorsal approaches were conducted. All horses underwent radiocarpal joint arthroscopy, but the middle carpal joint was only assessed in half of the horses due to limb movement causing difficulties.
  • In addition, the procedure was carried out quickly and was well tolerated by all horses. However, some complications such as moderate movement, mild self-inflicted cartilage damage, and mild hemarthrosis (blood in the joint) were reported.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The standing needle arthroscopy approach enabled a thorough assessment of the dorsal aspect of the joints. However, limitations due to limb movement meant that only three middle carpal joints were evaluated out of the six horses.
  • The developed method provides an alternative diagnostic tool for detecting intra-articular lesions in the carpus, which are often undetectable via radiographs, thereby avoiding the need and associated risks of general anesthesia.
  • The authors recommend focusing on a single joint during procedure to mitigate risks associated with horse movement.

Cite This Article

APA
Kadic DTN, Miagkoff L, Bonilla AG. (2020). Needle arthroscopy of the radiocarpal and middle carpal joints in standing sedated horses. Vet Surg, 49(5), 894-904. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13430

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 5
Pages: 894-904

Researcher Affiliations

Kadic, Dimitri T N
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.
Miagkoff, Ludovic
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.
Bonilla, Alvaro G
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arthroscopy / veterinary
  • Cadaver
  • Carpal Joints / surgery
  • Female
  • Forelimb / surgery
  • Horses / surgery
  • Male
  • Needles / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • Centennial Funds
  • Equine Health Funds

References

This article includes 24 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Hiney KM, Robison CI, Manfredi JM, Buskirk DD, Popovich JM Jr. The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint Health of Juvenile Animals.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 27;12(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12111379pubmed: 35681842google scholar: lookup
  2. 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
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