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Diagnostic and operative arthroscopy of the coxofemoral joint in horses
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Insights
Hip arthroscopy is feasible in horses, with instrument length crucial for access in larger animals. This technique aids in diagnosing and treating hip joint conditions like osteochondrosis and ligament tears.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Surgery
- Equine Orthopedics
Background:
- Arthroscopy offers a minimally invasive approach for diagnosing and treating joint pathologies in horses.
- The hip joint presents unique challenges for arthroscopic examination due to its deep location and large size.
Observation:
- A lateral approach for hip arthroscopy was evaluated in horses of varying ages and sizes.
- Instrument length and body weight significantly influenced the accessibility and visualization of the equine hip joint.
- The study assessed the feasibility of visualizing key intra-articular structures, including the ligament of the head of the femur and acetabular structures.
Findings:
- Arthroscopic examination of the hip joint is achievable in juvenile and mature horses.
- Standard instruments suffice for foals and weanlings, while longer instruments are necessary for horses exceeding 300 kg.
- Diagnostic arthroscopy successfully identified various hip pathologies, including ligament tears, osteochondrosis, and degenerative joint disease.
- Surgical arthroscopy provided therapeutic benefits, with debridement leading to improvement in cases of osteochondrosis and partial ligament disruption.
Implications:
- Hip arthroscopy is a viable diagnostic and surgical tool for equine hip joint disorders.
- Instrument selection based on patient size is critical for successful arthroscopic hip procedures in horses.
- Further research may refine arthroscopic techniques for improved visualization and treatment of complex equine hip pathologies.
Abstract:
Arthroscopic examination of the hip joint was performed in mature and juvenile horses, using a lateral approach and standard or long instruments depending on body weight. Nine hip joints were examined in three cadavers and four anesthetized horses. The lateral, cranial, and caudal regions of the femoral head and acetabulum were accessible, and, after distraction of the limb, the ligament of the head of the femur and the acetabular notch were also visible. In small horses, the medial regions of the hip joint were visible but were inaccessible in larger horses. Iatrogenic injury to the sciatic nerve or periarticular vasculature was not evident at necropsy examination. Six horses with lameness localized to the hip joint were examined arthroscopically. At surgery, two horses had tearing of the ligament of the head of the femur, two horses had osteochondrosis of the femoral head or acetabulum, and two horses had degenerative joint disease, one associated with a rim fracture of the caudal aspect of the acetabulum and the other of indeterminant origin. Improvement after debridement occurred in one of the horses with partial disruption of the ligament of the head of the femur and in both horses with osteochondrosis. Diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy of the hip can be accomplished in foals and weanlings using standard equipment, but, in adults weighing more than 300 kg, longer instruments are required and the ease of access and the visible extent of the hip joint is considerably reduced.