Arthroscopic surgery of the middle carpal joint in trotting Standard-breds: Findings and outcome

Summary

Objectives: To describe the injuries in the middle carpal joint of trotting Standardbred racehorses in relation to future racing and to review the use of synovectomy in clinical cases.

Methods: Review of medical records and racing statistics of clinical cases.

Results: Sixty-six percent of horses undergoing arthroscopic surgery of the middle carpal joints returned to racing, but there were only weak associations between future racing success and findings at surgery. Lesions in the middle carpal joint were similar to what have previously been described, but there were no recorded injuries to the intermediate carpal bone in the horses in this sample population.

Clinical relevance: Making an accurate prognosis for return to racing based on the findings in the middle carpal joint at the time of surgery appears to be difficult.

Keywords

Arthroscopy - synovectomy - middle carpal joint - racehorse

• References

• 1 Steel CM, Hopper BJ, Richardson JL. et al Clinical findings, diagnosis, prevalence and predisposing factors for lameness localised to the middle carpal joint in young Standardbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 2006; 38: 152-157.
• 2 McIlwraith CW, Yovich JV, Martin GS. Arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondral chip fractures in the equine carpus. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1987; 191: 531-540.
• 3 Moore RM, Schneider RK. Arthroscopic findings in the carpal joints of lame horses without radio-graphically visible abnormalities: 41 cases (1986–1991). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995; 206: 1741-1746.
• 4 Kannegieter NJ, Burbidge HM. Correlation between radiographic and arthroscopic findings in the equine carpus. Aust Vet J 1990; 67: 132-133.
• 5 Ross MW, Richardson DW, Beroza GA. Subchondral lucency of the third carpal bone in Standard-bred racehorses: 13 cases (1982–1988). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1989; 195: 789-794.
• 6 McIlwraith CW. Tearing of the medial palmar middle carpal ligament in the equine midcarpal joint. Equine Vet J 1992; 24: 367-371.
• 7 Cohen JM, Richardson DW, McKnight AL. Long-term outcome in 44 horses with stifle lameness after arthroscopic exploration and debridement. Vet Surg 2009; 38: 543-551.
• 8 McIlwraith CW, Wright I, Nixon AJ. et al Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy in the Horse. 3rd ed.. St. Louis, MO; Mosby; 2006
• 9 Roneus B, Andersson AM, Ekman S. Racing performance in standardbred trotters with chronic synovitis after partial arthroscopic synovectomy in the metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal and middle carpal (midcarpal) joints. Acta Vet Scand 1997; 38: 87-95.
• 10 Theoret CL, Barber SM, Moyana T. Repair and function of synovium after arthroscopic synovectomy of the dorsal compartment of the equine ante-brachiocarpal joint. Vet Surg 1996; 25: 142-153.
• 11 Palmar JL, Bertone AL, Malemud CJ. et al Changes in third carpal bone articular cartilage after synovectomy in normal and inflamed joints. Vet Surg 1998; 27: 321-330.
• 12 Doyle-Jones PS, Sullins KE, Saunders GK. Synovial regeneration in the equine carpus after arthroscopic mechanical or carbon dioxide laser synovectomy. Vet Surg 2002; 31: 331-343.