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.
Publication Date: 2025-07-28 PubMed ID: 40726046DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14312Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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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
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
- Wheatland Veterinary Hospital, Kingfisher, Oklahoma, USA.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
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