Diagnostic stifle joint arthroscopy using a needle arthroscope in standing horses.
Authors: Frisbie David D, Barrett Myra F, McIlwraith C Wayne, Ullmer Jeff
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Diagnostic stifle arthroscopy in standing horses Needle arthroscopy offers a minimally invasive alternative for examining equine stifle pathology in standing, sedated horses—a significant advantage over traditional full arthroscopy requiring general anaesthesia. Researchers conducted three phases of investigation: cadaveric validation with concurrent ultrasonography, assessment of an 18-gauge arthroscope in six clinically normal horses examined both weight-bearing and flexed, and application to three clinical cases with suspected stifle disease. All major intra-articular structures were successfully visualised in both cadaveric and live models without complication, and crucially, the needle arthroscope identified an osteochondral fragment in one clinical case that had been missed by both radiography and ultrasonography. Standing diagnostic arthroscopy using this fine-gauge instrument therefore represents a practical tool for practitioners seeking definitive diagnosis of stifle conditions whilst avoiding general anaesthetic risks and recovery complications—particularly valuable for detecting cartilage damage and small fragments where imaging modalities prove insufficient.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Needle arthroscopy offers a minimally invasive diagnostic option for stifle examination in standing horses, avoiding general anesthesia and its associated risks
- •This technique may detect subtle lesions like osteochondral fragments that standard imaging (ultrasound, radiography) misses
- •The procedure can be performed safely with minimal morbidity in clinical practice, making it a practical adjunct to conventional diagnostic imaging
Key Findings
- •An 18-gauge needle arthroscope successfully visualized all intra-articular stifle structures in cadaver limbs and standing horses with no associated morbidity
- •The needle arthroscope identified an osteochondral fragment in one clinical case that was not detected by ultrasonography or radiography
- •Diagnostic examination was feasible in both weight-bearing and flexed non-weight-bearing positions in standing sedated horses