Clinical, Radiographic And Arthroscopic Evaluation Of Joint Affections In Horses
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Date
2006
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Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Abstract
The research work was carried out to evaluate the joint affections by
clinical, radiographic and arthroscopic examination and to find out correlation
between them. Incidence of joint affections revealed more frequent involvement of
right forelimb in young male horses ‘up to 6 years of age’. Carpal (42.55%) and
fetlock (29.79%) joints were most frequently affected. Ligament injuries and articular
fractures were more commonly encountered in racehorses whereas DJD, OCD and
synovitis were observed both in race and non -race horses.
Of the 12 cases of DJD, characteristic degenerative changes were observed
only in 50 percent of the joints on survey radiography. Whereas arthroscopy
facilitated accurate assessment of articular cartilage damage in all the horses.
Osteochondral lesions were observed only in 27.27 percent joints on radiographic
examination. But all the cases were diagnosed arthroscopically. Evaluation of intra-
articular ligament was made possible only by arthroscopy. Arthroscopy revealed that
radial carpal-third carpal branch (lateral) was more frequently injured than the medial
branch.
A gelding with partial rupture of cranial cruciate ligament, arthroscopy
revealed partial rupture of cranial cruciate ligament with avulsion of tibial eminence.Synovitis was usually accompanied by various grades of lameness, synovial
effusion, heat and periarticular swelling. Inflammed and clubbed villi, hyperaemic
synovial membrane, fibrin deposit, free floating cellular debris were the common
arthroscopic findings.
Of the four articular fractures in the present study, only three were
diagnosed radiographically. Crush chip fracture of the radial carpal was
radiographically silent but was evident on arthroscopic examination. Radiographic
examination revealed excess callus at the fracture site of proximal medial sesamoid
bone, whereas arthroscopy revealed nearly normal articular surface except a thin
healed fracture line. Gross pathology confirmed the arthroscopic interpretation.
Radiographic examination in horses with cystic lesion was usually diagnostic and
appeared as circumscribed radiolucent area. Improvement of lameness was observed
after low-four point nerve block and intrasynovial analgesia. Radiography revealed
bone remodelling with slight concavity of the distodorsal aspect of third metacarpal
above.