Racing Performance in Standardbred Trotters with Chronic Synovitis after Partial Arthroscopic Synovectomy in the Metacarpophalangeal, Metatarsophalangeal and Intercarpal (Midcarpal) Joints

Abstract

Chronic synovitis may cause recurring lameness in competing race horses. Forty-five standardbred horses with recurring lameness secondary to chronic synovitis were studied. Arthroscopic synovectomy was performed in 32 meta-carpo-/metatarsophalangeal joints and in 28 intercarpal joints of horses that had previously been treated unsuccessfully with commonly used intraarticular medication. The outcome of the synovectomy was evaluated by comparing racing performance before and after surgery. The synovial membrane was microscopically characterized as chronic synovitis of varying severity. Racing performance was expressed by racing results including average earnings/race, place 1-3, best time and racing index. Fourteen of 19 horses with chronic synovitis of the intercarpal joint performed at an equal or higher racing level after synovectomy. Twenty-one of 26 horses with lameness secondary to chronic synovitis in the fetlock joint had an equal or higher racing capacity after synovectomy. The results of this study indicates that arthroscopic synovectomy in combination with rest is an effective method in the treatment of chronic synovitis when conventional intraarticular medication has failed.