Soft tissue injuries of the tarsocrural joint: a retrospective analysis of 30 cases evaluated arthroscopically.

摘要

Reasons for performing the study: Intra-articular soft tissue injuries of the equine tarsocrural joint have been poorly defined. Methods: All horses that underwent arthroscopic surgery of a tarsocrural joint over a 10 year period were identified. Those with primary intra-articular soft tissue injuries were selected for inclusion and the cases evaluated retrospectively. Results: Two hundred and eighty-one horses underwent tarsocrural joint arthroscopy during the study period, 30 of which met the inclusion criteria (30 joints). A combination of soft tissue lesions was more common than injury to a single structure. Injuries involved the joint capsule (n=25), collateral ligaments (n=20), dorsal plica (n=8) and open communication between the tarsocrural joint and extensor bundle (n=7). Following arthroscopic surgery and rehabilitation, 81% of horses were able to return to their previous function. Conclusion: Intra-articular soft tissue injuries of the tarsocrural jointmay be associated with localising clinical signs of inflammation. This series represented 11% of the total number of arthroscopic procedures undertaken on that joint in a single referral hospital. Arthroscopic surgery allows accurate definition of the injuries and facilitates lesion management. Case outcome following arthroscopic debridement and a subsequent period of rehabilitation is favourable. Potential relevance: In lame horses with clinical signs localised to the tarsocrural joint, disrupted intra-articular soft tissues should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses. Attending clinicians should consider arthroscopic evaluation in cases where primary intra-articular soft tissue injuries are suspected to be causative.