INFECTIOUS ORTHOPEDIC DISEASE: ANCILLARY DIAGNOSTICS - WHAT IS NEW?

摘要

Orthopedic infections are often a much more serious clinical problem in horses compared to other species because of the potential consequences of permanent lameness and subsequent loss of use or even potentially death. Infectious orthopedic disease isa prevalent problem in all age groups of horses. While most commonly associated with neonatal and young foals, it occurs with great frequency in older animals as well. Infections involving both synovial structures or the bones of the horse can have lifelong implications if not identified early and accurately. Traditional techniques at identifying and localizing infectious orthopedic disease have relied upon the effective use of a combination of diagnostic tests including clinical examination, peri-neural anesthesia, blood evaluation, radiographs, arthrocentesis, wound culture, ultrasound and response to therapy. Many times these techniques fail to fully identify a problem or may under-represent its severity and diffuse nature.