title: Soft tissue injuries of the tarsocrural joint: a retrospective analysis of 30 cases evaluated arthroscopically.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intra-articular soft tissue injuries of the equine tarsocrural joint have been poorly defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  All horses that underwent arthroscopic surgery of a tarsocrural joint over a 10 year period were identified. Those with primary intra-articular soft tissue injuries were selected for inclusion and the cases evaluated retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and eighty-one horses underwent tarsocrural joint arthroscopy during the study period, 30 of which met the inclusion criteria (30 joints). A combination of soft tissue lesions was more common than injury to a single structure. Injuries involved the joint capsule (n = 25), collateral ligaments (n = 20), dorsal plica (n = 8) and open communication between the tarsocrural joint and extensor bundle (n = 7). Following arthroscopic surgery and rehabilitation, 81% of horses were able to return to their previous function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-articular soft tissue injuries of the tarsocrural joint may be associated with localising clinical signs of inflammation. This series represented 11% of the total number of arthroscopic procedures undertaken on that joint in a single referral hospital. Arthroscopic surgery allows accurate definition of the injuries and facilitates lesion management. Case outcome following arthroscopic debridement and a subsequent period of rehabilitation is favourable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In lame horses with clinical signs localised to the tarsocrural joint, disrupted intra-articular soft tissues should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses. Attending clinicians should consider arthroscopic evaluation in cases where primary intra-articular soft tissue injuries are suspected to be causative.
authors.affiliation: Newmarket Equine Hospital, Suffolk, UK.
authors.forename: W H J
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: M R W
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Minshall
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013643:Tarsus, Animal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery