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Veterinary surgery : VS2025; doi: 10.1111/vsu.14312

Outcomes of diode laser-facilitated ankylosis of the distal tarsal joints in horses: A retrospective study of 64 cases.

Abstract: To evaluate the outcomes of diode laser-facilitated (DLF) ankylosis using different surgical techniques to treat distal tarsal osteoarthritis (OA) in horses. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: A total of 64 client-owned horses with distal tarsal OA treated with DLF ankylosis between 2011 and 2021 in a referral hospital were included. Methods: DLF ankylosis techniques included: intra-articular diode laser (L), diode laser with periarticular drilling (L + D) and diode laser with cuboidal bone fenestration (L + F). Horses requiring a second surgery formed a fourth group (T). Outcome was assessed through client telephone surveys. Preoperative variables and surgical technique were assessed using logistical regression and OR models. Results: A total of 64 horses met the inclusion criteria, and data was collected at a median follow-up time of 5 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 3-8 years). Improvement in lameness was observed in 83% (53/64) of horses, with 64% (39/61) returning to their previous level of athleticism. Sex significantly influenced outcome with males more likely to return to athleticism (p = .03, OR: 4.25). The return to previous level of athleticism for L, L + D and L + F was 67.9%, 50% and 66.7%, respectively. A smaller proportion of horses treated with L + D and L + F required additional surgical intervention compared to L (0%, 0%, and 20.8%, respectively). Conclusions: DLF ankylosis offered a reliable treatment for distal tarsal OA in horses. Incorporating cuboidal bone fenestration provided good athletic outcomes while reducing the need for reintervention. Conclusions: DLF ankylosis offers a less invasive alternative to treat distal tarsal OA in horses with good athletic outcomes.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-28 PubMed ID: 40726046DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14312Google 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 study evaluates the effectiveness of diode laser-facilitated ankylosis in treating distal tarsal osteoarthritis in horses with 83% showing improvement in lameness and 64% returning to their previous level of athleticism.

Research Background and Purpose

  • This retrospective study was conducted to examine the outcomes of diode laser-facilitated (DLF) ankylosis deployed via different surgical techniques to treat distal tarsal osteoarthritis (OA) in horses, a degenerative disease affecting the joints in a horse’s hind leg.

Study Design and Implementation

  • The research encompasses 64 client-owned horses treated with DLF ankylosis between the years 2011 and 2021 at a referral hospital. The selected horses had been diagnosed with distal tarsal OA.
  • The ankylosis techniques used in the study included intra-articular diode laser (L), diode laser combined with periarticular drilling (L+D), and diode laser with cuboidal bone fenestration (L+F). A fourth group (T) was constituted of horses requiring a second surgery post the primary DLF ankylosis procedure. Outcomes were assessed via client telephone surveys.
  • A combination of logistical regression and odds ratio (OR) models was used to evaluate preoperative variables and surgical technique.

Findings and Results

  • All 64 horses met the inclusion criteria, and the available data was collected at a median follow-up time of five years. The study found that 83% of the horses showed improvement in lameness, with 64% returning to their previous level of athleticism.
  • Sex was found to play a significant role, with male horses more likely to return to their previous athleticism level (p = .03, OR: 4.25).
  • The return to the previous athletic level for horses treated with L, L+D, and L+F was 67.9%, 50%, and 66.7%, respectively. Notably, horses treated with L+D and L+F did not require any further surgical intervention contrasting the 20.8% who had received L only.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concludes that DLF ankylosis has proven to be a reliable treatment method for distal tarsal OA in horses. Specifically, incorporating cuboidal bone fenestration in the procedure provided good athletic outcomes, lowering the need for further surgical intervention.
  • Therefore, DLF ankylosis can be considered as a viable, less invasive alternative to treat distal tarsal OA in horses. The study’s results have significant implications for equine welfare and performance, offering afflicted horses a greater chance of returning to their previous levels of athleticism.

Cite This Article

APA
Sanchez-Arjona R, Lopez Cruz C, Hague BA, Jayawickrama J, Kamm JL. (2025). Outcomes of diode laser-facilitated ankylosis of the distal tarsal joints in horses: A retrospective study of 64 cases. Vet Surg. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14312

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Sanchez-Arjona, Rodrigo
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Lopez Cruz, Carla
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Hague, Brent A
  • Wheatland Veterinary Hospital, Kingfisher, Oklahoma, USA.
Jayawickrama, Judith
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
Kamm, J Lacy
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.

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