Treatment of septic arthritis of the coxofemoral joint in 12 foals.

This research paper explores the clinical symptoms, surgical treatment, and outcome of septic arthritis in the hip joints of foals. The study reveals that arthroscopic lavage combined with the use of systemic and local antimicrobials can effectively treat septic arthritis in foals.

Research Methodology

• The research was conducted retrospectively, examining the cases of 12 foals that had confirmed sepsis in the hip joint.
• Lameness, which was localized to the hip joint, was established based on physical examination.
• Sepsis was confirmed by cytological analysis of synovial fluid that was obtained using ultrasonographic guidance during general anesthesia or standing sedation.
• Intra-articular analgesia was used as an additional diagnostic method in two foals.
• The surgical lavage or cleaning of the affected joint was done either by arthroscopy or needle lavage. Seven of the foals had repeated lavages.

Results

• The synovial fluid in the affected foals contained white blood cells (WBCs) in ranges from 4.4 to 173 × 10 per liter and 38-63 g/L of total protein.
• Out of the 12 foals tested, cultures were positive in 10. The isolated organisms included Salmonella spp., Streptococcus spp., Rhodococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Escherichia spp., Staphylococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus spp.
• Out of the 12 foals, ten (83%) were discharged from the hospital. One of these foals was euthanized after 15 days due to chronic intestinal salmonellosis and kidney failure, while nine foals survived with no detection of residual lameness a year after discharge from the hospital.

Conclusions

• The study concludes that sepsis of the hip joint in foals can be effectively treated with a combined approach of arthroscopic lavage and the application of systemic and local antimicrobials.