Comparison of intra-articular drilling and diode laser treatment for arthrodesis of the distal tarsal joints in normal horses.
BACKGROUND
Anecdotal reports suggest that laser-facilitated arthrodesis of the distal tarsal joints improves the prognosis compared with intra-articular drilling but no objective comparisons have been performed.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate intra-articular drilling and laser-facilitated arthrodesis using in situ and in vivo techniques.


METHODS
Fourteen cadaver limbs were evaluated in situ for chondrocyte viability after both surgical techniques. In vivo, one randomly selected limb was subjected to laser-facilitated arthrodesis and the other underwent intra-articular drilling in 6 normal horses. Clinical examinations were performed at 1, 3 and 5 months. Two horses were subjected to euthanasia at 1, 3 and 5 months.


RESULTS
Significantly more chondrocyte death was observed with laser-facilitated arthrodesis compared to drilling, but the overall degree suggested only a focal effect. In vivo, both groups demonstrated minimal post operative morbidity. There was more evidence of arthrodesis seen at all time points with intra-articular drilling.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that changes associated with ultimate arthrodesis occur earlier after intra-articular drilling of the distal tarsal joints than laser-facilitated arthrodesis, although clinically affected horses may respond differently.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-articular drilling may provide earlier arthrodesis of the distal tarsal joints, but not necessarily a better long-term result.
Scruton
C
C
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Baxter
G M
GM
Cross
M W
MW
Frisbie
D D
DD
D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002102:Cadaver; D019902:Chondrocytes; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000662:veterinary; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome