title: Synovitis induced by joint lavage with hypertonic saline solutions in healthy dairy calves.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single joint lavage with 7.2% or 15% hypertonic saline solutions (HSS) on the tarsocrural joints of healthy calves. The tarsi of 10 calves were randomly lavaged with 7.2% HSS, 15% HSS, or isotonic saline. Synovial fluid samples were collected aseptically on days 1 (before joint lavage), 2, 3, 4, and 8 for complete cytological analysis. Lameness, joint swelling, and pain were recorded daily. Calves were euthanized on day 8 for gross and histological analyses of synovial membranes and articular cartilage. Synovitis was evaluated using a scoring system reflecting inflammatory changes in synovial membranes.Joints irrigated with HSS were more distended and painful compared with isotonic control joints. Swelling decreased consistently in the joints lavaged with 7.2% HSS, whereas it remained unchanged in joints lavaged with 15% HSS. Slight to moderate lameness was observed in the joints lavaged with 15% HSS. In comparison to isotonic saline joints, total protein concentration was significantly increased on day 2 and 3 for the joints lavaged with 7.2% HSS (P ≤ 0.01) and on days 2, 3, and 4 in the joints lavaged with 15% HSS (P ≤ 0.0006). Gross and histological findings revealed that synovitis was more severe in the joints lavaged with 15% HSS but variable in the joints lavaged with 7.2% HSS. No significant differences were observed for the articular cartilage.Fifteen percent HSS is not recommended for joint lavage. Although irrigation with 7.2% HSS may induce a variable synovitis, it was found appropriate for joint lavage. Its effects on septic joints remain undetermined.
authors.affiliation: Département des Sciences Cliniques (Achard, Francoz, Desrochers); Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint Hyacinthe, Québec (Girard, Piché).
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Achard
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Francoz
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desrochers
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piché
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic