title: Comparison of three drilling techniques for carpometacarpal joint arthrodesis in horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate 3 drilling techniques for arthrodesis of the equine carpometacarpal (CMC) joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric equine forelimbs (n=15).
  
  
  METHODS
  Limbs were divided into 3 groups (5 limbs each) to evaluate 3 drilling techniques: (1) use of a 4.5 mm drill bit inserted into the joint through 4 entry points and moved in a fanning motion; (2) a 5.5 mm drill bit inserted through 2 entry points to create 3 nonfanned drill tracts (3 drill technique); and (3) a 4.5 mm drill bit used in a 3 drill technique. The CMC joint was disarticulated after drilling, and cartilage and subchondral bone damage evaluated visually and by gross and microradiographic examination using planimetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technique 1 produced significantly more damage of the proximal surface, but significantly less to the subchondral bone of the distal surface. Technique 1 produced the most damage to both the articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the total CMC joint than either of the 3 drill tract techniques; however, the difference between techniques 1 and 2 was not significant. Damage from technique 3 was significantly less than that with techniques 1 or 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Techniques 1 and 2 produced the most cartilage and subchondral bone damage with technique 2 changes more equally distributed between proximal and distal joint surfaces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Technique 1 (fanning) and 2 (5.5 mm 3 drill tracts) may be preferable to achieve arthrodesis of the CMC joint. Morbidity and efficacy of these arthrodesis techniques need to be evaluated in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. hml495@mail.usask.ca
authors.forename: Hayley M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Panizzi
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Murray R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Woodbury
authors.forename: Spencer M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D054544:Arthroplasty, Subchondral / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005552:Forelimb / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007596:Joints / Q000601:surgery