Treatment of intrasynovial infection with gentamicin-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads.

The research article explores the use of gentamicin-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads to treat intrasynovial infections in 12 horses and 10 cattle, which had shown resistance to standard treatments or exhibited signs of osteomyelitis. The results indicated that the method successfully eliminated the infection in 20 of the 22 cases and restored six of the horses and eight of the calves back to their normal performance.

Objective of the Study

• The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of gentamicin-impregnated PMMA beads in treating intrasynovial infections in large animals such as horses and cattle.

Subjects of Interest

• The research focused on 12 horses and 10 cattle with infective synovitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane.
• These animals had either not responded properly to standard treatments – including lavage, debridement, joint drainage, and systemic antibiotics, – or had current osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone, next to a synovial cavity.
• All animals used in the study were severely lame, with varying degrees of osteomyelitis as indicated by radiological evidence.

Methodology

• The PMMA beads impregnated with gentamicin, an antibiotic, were intrasynovially placed under general anesthesia.
• The beads were left in place for a period of 14 days.

Results and Conclusion

• Not all cases saw a successful treatment with the use of these beads. One horse and one calf were euthanized due to the persistent nature of their infective arthritis.
• However, the infection was successfully eliminated in the other 20 animals.
• Additionally, six horses returned to their full athletic use, indicating a significant improvement in their condition post-treatment.
• Similarly, eight of the nine calves, suffering from a particular type of infective arthritis and osteomyelitis, were able to return to their food production or breeding programs, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of this treatment against these conditions.