Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with lameness in front leg - surgery for joint pain
By Busschers, Evita & Richardson, Dean W·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Arthroscopically assisted arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal joint with transarticular screws inserted through a dorsal hoof wall approach in a horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was having ongoing problems with lameness in his right front leg. X-rays showed that the joint at the tip of his hoof was very narrow and had signs of severe arthritis, which was causing him pain. To help him feel better, the veterinarians performed a surgery to fuse the joint, using a special technique that involved removing damaged cartilage and placing screws through the top of the hoof. Eight months later, the joint had successfully fused, and the horse was able to walk comfortably again.
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was examined because of chronic right forelimb lameness. CLINICAL FINDINGS: On radiographs of the right front foot, the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint space was narrow, and osteophytes and periarticular bony proliferation indicative of severe osteoarthritis were seen. Arthrodesis of the right DIP joint was recommended to improve the horse's comfort on the limb. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The horse was anesthetized, and palmar and dorsal arthroscopic approaches were used to remove as much of the articular cartilage as was accessible. Holes were then drilled through the dorsal aspect of the hoof wall, and 3 transarticular, 5.5-mm cortical screws were placed in lag fashion through these holes across the distal phalanx and into the middle phalanx. Defects in the hoof wall were filled with gentamicin-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate plugs and sealed with cyanoacrylate. Eight months after surgery, fusion of the DIP joint was evident radiographically and the horse was sound at a walk. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Transarticular placement of cortical screws through a dorsal hoof wall approach combined with arthroscopically guided cartilage removal can result in fusion of the DIP joint in horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16536705/