Ultrasound-guided caudal cervical articular process arthrocentesis is accurate in live horses with and without arthropathy.
Authors: Davidson Elizabeth J, Stefanovski Darko, Slack Joann, Manzi Timothy J
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Cervical articular process joint injections are routinely performed to manage equine neck pathology, yet clinical validation of injection accuracy had remained limited despite cadaver studies suggesting success rates of 72–89%. Davidson and colleagues investigated ultrasound-guided caudal cervical articular process arthrocentesis in live horses, evaluating whether the technique achieved true intra-articular placement in both sound and arthritic animals. Their findings demonstrated reliable accuracy in the clinical setting, confirming that this minimally invasive approach can deliver therapeutic agents directly to target joints in working horses. For practitioners selecting between diagnostic imaging and injection protocols for cervical conditions, these results provide reassurance that ultrasound-guided placement is a dependable technical intervention, particularly valuable when managing chronic articular disease where joint-specific medication delivery is essential for therapeutic efficacy.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Ultrasound-guided CAPJ injection is a viable therapeutic approach for horses with neck pain and cervical joint disease in clinical practice, not just as a research technique
- •The procedure appears safe and accurate whether or not the horse has existing joint pathology, broadening its applicability across different patient presentations
- •Practitioners can have confidence in this minimally invasive technique for cervical joint therapy when proper ultrasound guidance is used
Key Findings
- •Ultrasound-guided caudal cervical articular process arthrocentesis can be performed accurately in live horses with clinical neck disorders
- •The technique maintains accuracy in horses both with and without pre-existing arthropathy
- •Clinical accuracy rates are being reported for the first time in live equine patients, building on previous cadaver studies showing 72%-89% intra-articular accuracy