Page 705 - Adams and Stashak's Lameness in Horses, 7th Edition

Lameness of the Proximal Limb 671

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Directions of drill holes B
A

C
Figure 5.71. DIT joint surface of the central tarsal bone monitored with radiography or fluoroscopy. (Image is with horse in
illustrating the 3‐drill path technique for distal tarsal arthrodesis (A). dorsal recumbency.) (B). A significant amount of joint surface is
Source: Courtesy of J.D. Sullins. The drill is inserted through a undisturbed, which preserves stability but promotes arthrodesis of
single hole, passed in three different directions, and can be the distal two tarsal joints (C). Source: Courtesy of Dr. Gary Baxter.

arthrodesis. Minimal local irritation has been observed in No significant difference in lameness scores was
areas of the injections (subcutaneous and intra‐articular), observed between the use of 70% and 95% ethyl alco-
with no long‐term adverse outcomes such as skin necro- hol treatments. There was marked, generalized narrow-
sis or hair discoloration. ing and extensive, multifocal bony bridging across the
Administration of ethyl alcohol into the TMT joint of joint space between the third tarsal and third metatarsal
healthy horses appeared to facilitate arthrodesis of the bones, and the articular cartilage in areas without bony
joint in a pain‐free manner. TMT joint fusion was fusion was thin and discolored. The treatment appeared
achieved with either 70% or 95% ethyl alcohol in 15 of to cause minimal pain and suggested that ethyl alcohol
16 horses without lameness or radiographic evidence of may destroy the sensory innervation of the synovium,
tarsal joint OA. None of the horses were lame after joint capsule, and subchondral bone, which permitted
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injection, and joint fusion was complete by 8 months. fusion of the joint without associated lameness.