Usefulness of Selected Acute-Phase Proteins in the Postsurgical Monitoring of Arthroscopy and Splint Bone Removal in Horses.
Authors: Przewoźny Maciej, Senderska-Płonowska Magdalena, Rząsa Anna, Wierzbicki Heliodor, Borkowski Jacek, Swagemakers Jan-Hein, Żak-Bochenek Agnieszka, Stefaniak Tadeusz
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Arthroscopy and splint bone removal are routine equine surgical procedures, yet standardised post-operative monitoring protocols remain limited, prompting investigation into whether acute-phase proteins (APPs) could provide objective markers of surgical recovery. Researchers tracked plasma fibrinogen, serum haptoglobin, and protease inhibitors in 114 horses (41 undergoing arthroscopy and 13 undergoing splint bone removal) against 60 healthy controls, collecting blood samples pre-operatively and at intervals through 28 days post-surgery. Both fibrinogen and haptoglobin demonstrated significant elevations within 24–48 hours of surgery, peaked between days 3–5, and gradually normalised by day 28, with splint bone removal producing more pronounced inflammatory responses than arthroscopy. These APP dynamics offer clinicians a quantifiable framework for distinguishing normal post-operative inflammation from potential complications, enabling more evidence-based decisions regarding return to work timelines and intervention thresholds during recovery. For farriers, veterinarians and rehabilitation professionals, measuring APP concentrations could standardise post-operative discharge protocols and provide early warning signals of infection or delayed healing before clinical signs become apparent.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Acute phase proteins can serve as objective biomarkers for monitoring recovery after common orthopedic procedures, potentially complementing clinical assessment
- •Different surgical procedures may produce distinct inflammatory marker profiles, helping differentiate normal postoperative inflammation from complications
- •Serial measurement of fibrinogen, haptoglobin, and proteinase inhibitors at defined intervals provides quantifiable data for postoperative monitoring protocols
Key Findings
- •Plasma fibrinogen, serum haptoglobin, and proteinase inhibitors were measured at multiple timepoints (0-28 days post-surgery) to characterize acute phase protein responses
- •Study compared acute phase protein dynamics between two surgical groups (arthroscopy and splint bone removal) and healthy control horses
- •Sequential blood sampling protocol (8 timepoints over 28 days) enabled tracking of inflammatory marker kinetics in postoperative period