Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Use of sodium monoiodoacetate to fuse the distal hock joints in horses.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1995
- Authors:
- Sammut, E B & Kannegieter, N J
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United Kingdom
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study involving five horses, researchers looked at using a chemical treatment called sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) to help fuse the lower joints in the hock, which is the equivalent of an ankle in humans. The horses had issues like spavin (a type of joint disease), a small bone fracture, or problems after previous surgery. They received an injection of MIA into the affected joint, and after 9 to 14 months, two horses were sound, meaning they were walking normally, while one horse was still a bit lame but the owner felt the treatment was successful. However, only one of the eight joints treated showed complete fusion on X-rays, and there were complications like pain and swelling. The researchers concluded that while this method is not better than traditional surgery, it may still be worth looking into further.
Abstract
Intra-articular injection of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) was investigated as an agent for chemical arthrodesis of the distal hock joints in the horse. Five horses diagnosed with either spavin (three horses), a small tarsal bone fracture or a failed surgical arthrodesis, had 150 mg of MIA injected into the tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint of the affected hock(s). Eight joints were treated in the five horses. Follow-up evaluation by clinical and radiological examination took place over 9 to 14 months. Two of the five horses were sound at the conclusion of the study and one horse, although lame after flexion, was considered by the owner to have been treated successfully. One of eight TMT joints showed complete radiographic fusion. Complications after treatment included pain, chronic lameness and swelling. It was concluded that chemical arthrodesis using this technique can not be recommended as being a superior treatment as compared with surgical arthrodesis at this time but is deserving of further clinical evaluation.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8787522/