Ultrasound-guided coxofemoral arthrocentesis in horses.
Abstract: Coxofemoral joint pain is probably underestimated due to difficulties in identifying hip pain. The deep location of the joint and proximity of the sciatic nerve make arthrocentesis based on external landmarks a difficult and potentially risky procedure in mature horses. Objective: To describe an ultrasound-guided injection technique of the coxofemoral joint in standing horses and to evaluate its accuracy and potential difficulties/complications. Methods: Nine mature horses had both pelvic areas prepared for sterile ultrasound examination (3.5 MHz curvilinear probe). Coxofemoral joints were located and penetrated at their craniodorsolateral aspect under ultrasonographic guidance and injected with sterile contrast medium. A standing ventrodorsal radiographic view of each hemipelvis centred on the hip was obtained for each horse to assess the injection site. Horses were evaluated for 10 days following injection for possible complications. Results: Intra-articular injection was successful in all 18 joints. The procedure was well tolerated by horses under minimal restraint. Mean +/- s.d. needle repositionings required before accurate placement was 1.5 +/- 1.3 per joint. Once the needle was in the joint, synovial fluid was obtained in 7/18 joints. Minimal periarticular contrast medium was detected in 2/18 joints. Mean +/- s.d. ultrasonographic examination time required for coxofemoral localisation, accurate needle positioning and injection was 4.3 +/- 2.1 min. No complications were observed in the 10 days following injection. Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided coxofemoral arthrocentesis is an accurate, reliable and safe technique that offers a real time evaluation of needle introduction into the deep and narrow coxofemoral joint space. Conclusions: Although this technique remains to be tested on clinical cases, it is a promising tool to facilitate diagnosis of coxofemoral pain, septic arthritis or administration of intra-articular medication.
Publication Date: 2007-01-19 PubMed ID: 17228601DOI: 10.2746/042516407x153093Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research focuses on a new technique of using ultrasound guidance for coxofemoral arthrocentesis in horses. The method is presented as a safer, more accurate approach to mitigating joint pain that can be underestimated due to difficulties in identification.
Research Objective
- The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate an ultrasound-guided injection technique for the coxofemoral joint in standing horses. The researchers assessed its accuracy and potential difficulties or complications associated with regular procedures.
Methods
- The investigation involved nine mature horses that had their pelvic areas prepared for sterile ultrasound examination using a 3.5 MHz curvilinear probe.
- The coxofemoral joints were located and penetrated on their craniodorsolateral aspect under ultrasonographic guidance, then injected with sterile contrast medium.
- To assess the injection site, a standing ventrodorsal radiographic view of each horse’s hemipelvis, focused on the hip, was obtained.
- Post-procedure, the horses were monitored for 10 days to observe any possible complications.
Results
- The study found that the ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection was successful in all 18 joint procedures. The horses also tolerated the procedure well under minimal restraint.
- The results also showed that the mean number of times the needle needed to be repositioned before accurate positioning was relatively low, at 1.5 +/- 1.3 per joint.
- Once the needle was in the joint, synovial fluid could be obtained in 7 out of 18 joints, with a minimal periarticular contrast medium detected in 2 out of 18 joints.
- The process was relatively fast, with the mean time required for ultrasound examination, accurate needle positioning, and injection being 4.3 +/- 2.1 minutes.
- Importantly, no complications were observed in the 10 days following the injection.
Conclusions
- The findings concluded that the ultrasound-guided coxofemoral arthrocentesis is an accurate, reliable, and safe technique. It allows for real-time evaluation of needle introduction into the deep and narrow coxofemoral joint space.
- Whilst this technique still needs to be tested on clinical cases, it offers a promising tool for facilitating the diagnosis of coxofemoral pain, septic arthritis or for the administration of intra-articular medication in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
David F, Rougier M, Alexander K, Morisset S.
(2007).
Ultrasound-guided coxofemoral arthrocentesis in horses.
Equine Vet J, 39(1), 79-83.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407x153093 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Département des Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, C.P. 5000, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 7C6, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthritis, Infectious / diagnosis
- Arthritis, Infectious / diagnostic imaging
- Arthritis, Infectious / veterinary
- Cadaver
- Female
- Hip Joint / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Injections, Intra-Articular / veterinary
- Joint Diseases / diagnosis
- Joint Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Joint Diseases / veterinary
- Paracentesis / adverse effects
- Paracentesis / methods
- Paracentesis / veterinary
- Pilot Projects
- Time Factors
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Al-Sobayil F, Sadan MA, El-Shafaey EA, Allouch J. Intra-articular injection in the hind limb joints of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) using anatomical and arthrographic-guided landmarks. Vet World 2021 Aug;14(8):2055-2063.
- Beaulieu A, Linden AZ, Phillips J, Arroyo LG, Koenig J, Monteith G. Various 3D printed materials mimic bone ultrasonographically: 3D printed models of the equine cervical articular process joints as a simulator for ultrasound guided intra-articular injections. PLoS One 2019;14(8):e0220332.
- Sauer FJ, Hellige M, Beineke A, Geburek F. Osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joint in 24 horses: Evaluation of radiography, ultrasonography, intra-articular anaesthesia, treatment and outcome. Equine Vet J 2025 Jan;57(1):101-114.
- Tomé I, Alves-Pimenta S, Costa L, Pereira J, Sargo R, Brancal H, Ginja M, Colaço B. Establishment of an ultrasound-guided protocol for the assessment of hip joint osteoarthritis in rabbits-A sonoanatomic study. PLoS One 2023;18(9):e0291177.
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