title: Treatment of carpometacarpal osteoarthritis by arthrodesis in 12 horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate arthrodesis as a treatment for carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (CMC-OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses (n=12) with CMC-OA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Arthrodesis was facilitated by insertion and fanning of a drill bit into the CMC joint at several (3-5) locations in 15 limbs. Follow-up radiographs were obtained for 7 horses (9 limbs). Outcome was determined by telephone survey of owners based on postoperative pain, return to use, appearance of the limb, and success of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative pain was slight or moderate in 10 of 12 (83%) horses during the first 30 days, and 11 of 12 (92%) horses were markedly improved by 6 months and capable of returning to work. Radiographically 6 CMC joints had a bony ankylosis at follow-up whereas 3 did not (mean 8.7 months). On long-term follow-up (mean 28.6 months) all horses had reduced severity of lameness, 10 of 12 (83%) were considered "sound," 8 (67%) returned to their original activity, and all owners considered arthrodesis highly successful as a treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A drilling technique that produced CMC arthrodesis, allowed most horses to return to their original activity and was considered successful by all clients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthrodesis of the CMC joint should be considered a treatment option for CMC-OA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. spence.barber@usask.ca
authors.forename: Spencer M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Panizzi
authors.forename: Hayley M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000662:veterinary*; D005121:Extremities / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome