Page 192 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

tendon, ligament or meniscal tears

• fracture repair or removal of bone fragments, e.g.
VetBooks.ir – surgical removal of osteochondral bone fragments of traumatic or developmental

origin

– surgical removal of chip fractures of the carpus and apical fragments of the
proximal sesamoid bones and the proximal dorsal aspect of the proximal phalanx

– lag screw fixation of carpal slab fractures

– placement of screws for fixation of metacarpal or metatarsal condylar fractures
• treatment of septic (infectious) arthritis

• surgical removal of inflamed, thickened or infected synovial membrane

• arthrodesis (see page 233).

Advantages over open joint surgery (arthrotomy)

Arthroscopy gives better visualization of the articular surface because:

• of magnification of the image
• the villi of the synovial membrane remain suspended in fluid

• more of the joint surface can be seen.

In addition:

• the small incisions are less traumatic and the horse is less likely to be lame following

surgery with a quicker return to work
• there is less scarring

• decreased risk of infection

• there is less likelihood of wound breakdown following surgery

• lesions such as tearing of the intercarpal ligaments can only be diagnosed with this
technique.

Disadvantages of arthroscopy

• The procedure requires general anaesthesia.

• The equipment is very expensive.

• Considerable training and experience are required to perform such procedures.