OA- end stage disease and salvage Flashcards
When is it suitable to use intra-articular medication for OA in low motion joints?
No radiographic changes
What treatment is available for horses with OA that show radiographic changes?
- Pain relief and work horse
- Arthrodese joint (chemical or surgical)
what is arthrodese joint
any diseased cartilage between the two bones is removed
What is the principle behind fusing joints?
Destroy the cartilage, induce inflammation, cause arthrodesis
What joints are suitable for arthrodesis?
Proximal interphalangeal joint
carpometacarpal joint
tarsometatarsal
distal intertarsal joints
What is a medical way to encourage arthrodesis of a joint?
Pain relief and continue to work the horse
this can be unpredictable
What are treatment options for OA in low motion joints?
Intra-articular steroids
systemic NSAIDs
neurectomy
chemical/surgical arthrodesis
With all these horse needs to continue to work
What are the conditions for using arthrodesis of low motion joints?
Other joints must be healthy, opposite limb must be sound or treatable
Why is prognosis for arthrodesis better for hindlimbs than forelimbs?
Hindlimbs bear less weight (40%) than forelimbs (60%)
