Development and validation of a periarticular injection technique of the sacroiliac joint in horses.
Authors: Engeli E, Haussler K K, Erb H N
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) disease represents a genuine performance limiter in horses, yet clinicians have historically relied on exclusion diagnosis due to the lack of reliable diagnostic methods. Engeli and colleagues developed and validated a periarticular injection technique for the SIJ, establishing both anatomical landmarks and efficacy criteria through cadaveric and clinical work. Their validated approach enables practitioners to perform diagnostic and therapeutic joint injections with confidence, offering direct access to the affected joint rather than continuing to diagnose by ruling out other structures. This technical advancement matters considerably for farriers, physiotherapists and veterinarians managing performance horses with suspected hindlimb or back dysfunction, as accurate SIJ diagnosis now facilitates targeted treatment and prevents unnecessary investigation of unrelated tissues. The availability of a standardised, validated injection technique transforms SIJ pathology from a diagnosis of last resort into one that can be confidently confirmed and therapeutically addressed in a primary consultation.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Sacroiliac joint pathology should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses presenting with poor performance, back pain, or hindlimb lameness rather than assuming it is a diagnosis of exclusion
- •A validated injection technique is now available for therapeutic intervention and diagnostic confirmation of sacroiliac joint involvement
- •Practitioners should develop skill in this periarticular injection technique to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment options for performance horses
Key Findings
- •Sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis is a significant cause of poor performance in competition and racehorses
- •Current diagnostic tools for sacroiliac joint disease are unreliable
- •Diagnosis has been based on exclusion of other causes rather than direct confirmation
- •A periarticular injection technique for the sacroiliac joint was developed and validated