Lameness due to stifle and especially meniscal lesions is frequent in equine species. In humans, mechanoreceptors involved in proprioceptive function are well studied. Given the high incidence of meniscal injuries in horses, and the lack of information concerning them in equine menisci, our objective was to study these corpuscles in six healthy anterior horns of the equine medial meniscus, which is the most common localisation reported for equine meniscal injuries. Immunohistochemical stainings were performed using antibodies against high molecular weight neurofilaments and glial fibrillary acidic proteins. From a purely fundamental point of view, our work highlights for the first time the presence of Ruffini, Pacini and Golgi corpuscles in equine meniscus. They were found, isolated or in clusters and always located at the vicinity of blood vessels, at the level of the anterior horn of the equine medial meniscus. This morphological approach could serve as a basis for clinical studies, to evaluate the impact of these corpuscles on the poor sportive prognosis in equine meniscal tears.

Background: Hip osteoarthritis in canines is a common diagnosis. The prevalence in adult dogs is estimated to be 20 percent. The primary treatment is usually an NSAID. Acupuncture as treatment for pain conditions is commonly used within human medicine and is becoming more frequently used within veterinary medicine. Acupuncture studies that show the pain relieving effects in animals are few, which make it important to elucidate the effects of this treatment method. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of acupuncture in relation to function, passive range of motion, thigh circumference and palpation for pain in a ten year-old German Shepard dog with x-ray verified left sided osteoarthritis of the hip. Materials and methods:The study was conducted with a single subject experimental ABA-design. Twice before the first treatment (A1-baseline) function, passive range of motion (PROM), thigh circumference and palpation for pain were assessed. The dog then received three acupuncture treatments, once a week (B1-3-intervention). The choice of points in order of insertion was Bai Hui intraspinal L7-S1, BL 25 bilateral, BL 23 bilateral, and GB 30 left. The needles were stimulated during insertion as well as before removal. During intervention, PROM was measured after each treatment. Seven days after the last acupuncture treatment the same examination that was conducted initially was conducted again (A2-evaluation). Data were analyzed with 2SD-line where all the results that orient above 2SD-line are significant. Celeration line shows the trend before, during and after the intervention. Results: The results showed decreased symptoms regarding limpness and rigidity and normalized functional tests, improved passive range of motion in the left hip joint (Fig. 3), decreased pain of the outer part of passive extension, increased thigh circumference bilaterally, and decreased pain with palpation. Conclusions: The single subject experimental design has great clinical applicability for the scientist-practitioner and can provide clinicians with useful information. This single subject experimental design indicates that acupuncture seems to have an effect on dogs with hip osteoarthritis. Further studies with larger study groups need to be conducted to be able to make evidence-based treatment decisions.

In athletic horses, diseases leading to lameness are of great importance due to the loss of performance and the resultant economic concerns. Although stifle lesions are frequent in the hindlimb, due to the large size and complexity of the joint, and although meniscal tears have been identified as the most common soft tissue injuries in this joint, little is known about the mechanism that causes the painful sensation and thus the lameness. The aim of our study was to highlight any peripheral fibres involved in meniscal nociception in five macroscopically sound cranial horns of the equine medial meniscus, which has been one of the most common sites reported for equine meniscal injuries. Immunohistochemical stainings were performed using antibodies against Substance P in order to identify nociceptive fibres; against tyrosine hydroxylase for detecting postganglionic sympathetic fibres; and against glial fibrillary acidic proteins in order to identify Schwann cells. Our work highlights for the first time the presence of nociceptive and sympathetic fibres in equine menisci. They were found in the abaxial part of the cranial horn of the equine medial meniscus. This study suggests that when the abaxial part is injured, the meniscus itself could be the source of pain. These findings could provide a better understanding of the clinical presentation of horses with meniscal injury and contribute towards improving therapeutic strategies to alleviate pain in cases of equine meniscal injury.

No abstract