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Osteomyelitis of the calcaneus in horses: 28 cases (1972-1987).
Abstract: Medical records of 28 horses with osteomyelitis of the calcaneus were reviewed to evaluate signalment, history, diagnostic and treatment methods, outcome, and long-term follow-up information. Trauma was the most commonly reported cause (24). Physical examination revealed lameness in 27 horses, and 22 (79%) had a wound or draining tract over the plantar aspect of the calcaneus. Radiography of all horses was done prior to the initiation of treatment, and follow-up radiography was done on 20 horses. The most common radiographic findings were soft tissue swelling (25), bony lysis of the calcaneus (17), bone fragments or sequestra from the tuber calcis (13), and periosteal new bone production or bony lysis of the sustentaculum tali (5). Association could not be found between initial radiographic findings and eventual outcome of the case. Positive bacterial cultures were obtained from 13 horses. A wide variety of gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic organisms were isolated. Fourteen of the 15 isolates, for which susceptibilities were reported, were susceptible to penicillin, gentamicin, or trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. Twenty-six of the 28 horses diagnosed as having osteomyelitis of the calcaneus were treated; 16 horses were treated with surgical debridement in addition to antimicrobial treatment, and 10 horses were treated with antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, or supportive wound care. There was no significant difference in survival rate of horses treated surgically and those treated conservatively. Six horses that were treated were later euthanatized for problems associated with chronic osteomyelitis, and 2 horses died or were euthanatized for unrelated problems. Eighteen horses (64%) were alive at last follow-up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1989-05-01 PubMed ID: 2722668 The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research reviews 28 medical cases of horses suffering from osteomyelitis of the calcaneus, a serious bone infection. It evaluates results from various diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes.
Objective of the Study
- The aim of the paper was to evaluate the medical histories of horses diagnosed with calcaneal osteomyelitis, looking specifically at signalment, case history, diagnostic methods, treatment protocols, outcomes, and availability of long-term data.
Overview of the Cases
- In this study, trauma was identified as the primary cause of osteomyelitis. Out of 28 studied horses, 27 displayed signs of lameness, and 22 had noticeable wounds or drainage from the calcaneus.
- All horses underwent radiography before the initiation of treatment and the study reported follow-up radiography for twenty horses.
- The most common radiographic findings were soft tissue swelling, bony lysis of the calcaneus, bone fragments from the tuber calcis, and new bone production or lysis of the sustentaculum tali.
- However, the authors noted that no correlation could be established between the initial radiographic findings and the eventual outcomes of the cases.
Microbial Cultures and Treatment
- The study reported positive bacterial cultures in 13 horses and these samples evidenced a diverse range of gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic organisms.
- Of the 15 isolates tested for susceptibility, 14 were found to be vulnerable to penicillin, gentamicin, or trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, indicating potential effective antibiotics for treatment of this condition in horses.
- The horses diagnosed with osteomyelitis received treatment – 16 underwent surgical debridement while 10 received antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, or supportive wound care. The research observed no significant difference in survival rates between these two groups, suggesting that both treatment methods can be equally effective.
Outcomes
- Six of the treated horses were later euthanized due to issues related to chronic osteomyelitis, and two more died or were euthanized for reasons not related to the disease. At the conclusion of the study, 18 (64%) of the horses were still alive.
Cite This Article
APA
MacDonald MH, Honnas CM, Meagher DM.
(1989).
Osteomyelitis of the calcaneus in horses: 28 cases (1972-1987).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 194(9), 1317-1323.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Calcaneus / diagnostic imaging
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Osteomyelitis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteomyelitis / therapy
- Osteomyelitis / veterinary
- Prognosis
- Radiography
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Mizuguchi Y, Kato A, Aizu M. Regional antibiotic perfusion through the lateral saphenous vein in two horses with septic calcaneal osteitis. J Vet Med Sci 2023 Jan 6;85(1):55-61.
- Isgren CM, Salem SE, Singer ER, Wylie CE, Lipreri G, Graham RJTY, Bladon B, Boswell JC, Fiske-Jackson AR, Mair TS, Rubio-Martínez LM. A multi-centre cohort study investigating the outcome of synovial contamination or sepsis of the calcaneal bursae in horses treated by endoscopic lavage and debridement. Equine Vet J 2020 May;52(3):404-410.
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