title: Diagnostic stifle joint arthroscopy using a needle arthroscope in standing horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess use of an 18 g arthroscope for diagnostic stifle joint examination in the standing horse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phase 1 used cadaver limbs and simultaneous ultrasonographic assessment. Phase 2 used 6 normal horses where stifles were assessed in both a standing and flexed position. Phase 3 used horses with suspected stifle injury or disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normal horses (n = 6) to assess ability to perform diagnostic procedure (phase 2) and 3 clinical cases (phase 3).
  
  
  METHODS
  Five cadaver limbs were used in phase 1 to assess all stifle joints. Phase 2 used standing sedated and locally anesthetized horses. Routine arthroscopic approaches were used in both weight bearing and flexed nonweight bearing positions. In both phase 1 and 2 simultaneous ultrasonographic and arthroscopic examinations were used to confirm extent of diagnostic examination. The methods developed in phase 2 were used to examine the stifle in 3 horses with suspected stifle disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In cadaveric limbs and horses, all intra articular structures that constitute a complete arthroscopic examination were identified; no intra -or postoperative morbidity occurred. In phase 3, the needle arthroscope was used in accurate identification of pathologic change and in 1 horse, an osteochondral fragment not detected by ultrasonography and radiography was identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary work indicates that an 18 g arthroscope can be used for diagnostic examination of the equine stifle in standing horses.
authors.affiliation: Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Frisbie
authors.forename: Myra F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: C Wayne
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: McIlwraith
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ullmer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D009339:Needles / Q000662:veterinary; D011187:Posture; D013264:Stifle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014463:Ultrasonography