Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Retrospective evaluation of facilitated pastern ankylosis using intra-articular ethanol injections: 34 cases (2006-2012).
Abstract: While surgical arthrodesis is the treatment of choice for osteoarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, some clients are unable to pursue surgery due to costs. A more economical technique was sought using intra-articular ethyl alcohol injections to facilitate ankylosis. Objective: To describe the technique and outcome of intra-articular ethyl alcohol injections for facilitated ankylosis of proximal interphalangeal joints with osteoarthritis. Methods: As a retrospective case series, the medical records (2006-2012) of clinical cases diagnosed with proximal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis treated with intra-articular ethyl alcohol injections were reviewed. Cases with follow-up of at least 6 months were included. Technique and outcome were determined. Evaluation of outcome was assessed using return to previous performance or intended use and owner satisfaction as the indicators of success. Soundness and level of work are also reported. Results: Thirty-four horses were included in the study. At the time of follow-up, 17 horses (50%) were sound, while 13 horses (38%) were improved but not sound. One horse's lameness was unchanged, and 3 horses were lost to follow-up. The median time until horses became sound or returned to work was 8 months. Six horses had complications, 4 of which were mild and transient. Conclusions: The use of intra-articular ethyl alcohol in the proximal interphalangeal joint in horses affected by osteoarthritis appears to be a viable method for facilitated ankylosis if surgical management is not an option.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2012-12-19 PubMed ID: 23253080DOI: 10.1111/evj.12012Google Scholar: Lookup 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
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.
The study looks at an economical alternative to surgical treatment for osteoarthritis in a horse’s proximal interphalangeal joint – the intra-articular injection of ethyl alcohol to facilitate ankylosis. The method was evaluated retrospective on 34 cases from 2006 to 2012 and the results indicated that it could be a viable option when surgery is not possible.
Objective and Methodology of the Study
- The research primarily aimed to present the technique and outcomes of the ethyl alcohol injections used to facilitate ankylosis in the treatment of osteoarthritis in a horse’s proximal interphalangeal joints.
- As part of the retrospective study, medical records from 2006 to 2012 were reviewed. Only those horses which had a follow-up of at least six months after the treatment were included in the study.
- The indicators used to evaluate the success of the treatment were horse’s return to their previous performance or intended use, and the owner’s satisfaction with the treatment.
- Moreover, the level of soundness and work is also reported to offer a more comprehensive insight into the efficacy of the treatment.
Results and Conclusions of the Research
- Out of the thirty-four horses included in the study, seventeen (or 50%) showed improvement and were found to be sound, whilst thirteen (or 38%) were improved but were not completely sound.
- Unfortunately, the lameness of one of the horses was unchanged post-treatment. Three of the horses were untraceable after the treatment and thus their progress could not be tracked.
- The median time for a horse to become sound or return to work after this treatment was eight months.
- Six of the horses encountered complications post-treatment, four of which were temporary and mild.
- The study concludes that use of intra-articular ethyl alcohol for horses suffering from osteoarthritis is a feasible option for facilitated ankylosis if medical intervention is not possible.
Cite This Article
APA
Caston S, McClure S, Beug J, Kersh K, Reinertson E, Wang C.
(2012).
Retrospective evaluation of facilitated pastern ankylosis using intra-articular ethanol injections: 34 cases (2006-2012).
Equine Vet J, 45(4), 442-447.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12012 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, USA. scaston@iastate.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ankylosis / chemically induced
- Ankylosis / veterinary
- Ethanol / administration & dosage
- Ethanol / pharmacology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Injections, Intra-Articular
- Osteoarthritis / drug therapy
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Daniels A, Pezzanite LM, Griffenhagen GM, Hendrickson DA. Evaluation of factors associated with surgical site infection in equine proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis: 54 cases (2010-2019). Vet Med Sci 2022 Jul;8(4):1478-1488.
- Spadari A, Forni G, Del Magno S, Tagliavia C, Canova M, Grandis A, Rinnovati R. The Comparison of Latero-Medial versus Dorso-Palmar/Plantar Drilling for Cartilage Removal in the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 21;11(6).
- Buckley SI, Kneedler SC, Yngve DA. Managing Pain in Cerebral Palsy Patients Using Ethanol Hip Joint Injection: A Retrospective Chart Review. Cureus 2025 Aug;17(8):e90603.
- Drwencke AM, Adcock SJJ, Walker JB, Tucker CB. Pilot testing an ethanol cornual nerve block as a long-term analgesic for calf disbudding. JDS Commun 2024 Jul;5(4):327-331.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
