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Arthrodesis of the Distal Intertarsal and Tarsometatarsal Joints in the Horse
Author(s) -
BARBER SPENCER M.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1984.tb00798.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tarsometatarsal joints , tarsus (eyelids) , arthrodesis , tarsal joint , surgery , lameness , horse , radiography , tarsal bone , ankle , paleontology , alternative medicine , pathology , eyelid , biology
Arthrodesis created by destruction of the articular surfaces of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints by repeated insertion of a drill was studied in one limb of each of nine horses. Postoperatively, the horses were housed in box stalls for 8 weeks and then confined to a paddock for 19 weeks. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed prior to surgery, immediately following surgery, and at 2,4, 6, 8,10,12,16, 20, and 27 weeks following surgery. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between decreasing degree of lameness and increasing radiographic evidence of bony fusion; fusion of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints was present in five horses 27 weeks after surgery. The horses lost weight during the first 8 weeks after surgery. Flexion of the treated tarsal joints was decreased significantly at the end of the experiment. Complications encountered included fracture of the third tarsal bone (five horses), instability of the tarsus (four horses), septic arthritis (three horses), and diarrhea (four horses). Arthrodesis, with this method of surgical drilling of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints, is not recommended because of severe pain, prolonged convalescence, and high incidence of complications.