title: Arthrodesis techniques in horses.
abstract: When medical therapy and surgical treatments of an injured joint fail to return the animal to athletic performance or comfortable use of the limb, arthrodes is is a final option for some joints. Arthrodesis refers to the surgical fusion of a joint, resulting in bony ankylosis. Successful arthrodesis requires debridement of the articular cartilage through the calcified cartilage layer, exposing the subchondral bone; alignment of the joint into a weight-bearing position; and stabilization. The methods by which these steps are accomplished are variable, depending on the individual joint. There are currently accepted methods for arthrodesis of several joints in the horse; however, not all joints are amenable to arthrodesis. Case selection is an important aspect of performing arthrodesis procedures in horses.
authors.affiliation: Oakridge Equine Hospital, 6675 East Waterloo Road, Edmond, OK 73034, USA. zubrod@oakridgevet.com
authors.forename: Chad J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Zubrod
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007593:Joint Instability; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology