Outcome of horses with synovial structure involvement following solar foot penetrations in four UK veterinary hospitals: 95 cases

Abstract

Synovial involvement following solar foot penetration has a guarded prognosis for survival to discharge and a poor prognosis for return to pre-injury athletic function. Penetration of the central sulcus of the frog and distal phalanx involvement are associated with euthanasia during hospitalisation. Delayed referral and hospitalisation are associated with both euthanasia and failure to return to pre-injury athletic function. Breed and more than one surgery are associated with failure to return to pre-injury athletic function. These data may assist veterinary surgeons and owners to make evidence-based decisions when managing cases with synovial involvement following solar foot penetration.

Course of serum amyloid A (SAA) plasma concentrations in horses undergoing surgery for injuries penetrating synovial structures, an observational clinical study

“…Injuries penetrating synovial structures are common in equine practice [1, 2, 3]. These injuries cause contamination of the affected synovial structure and can subsequently lead to septic synovitis.…”

“…With adequate treatment, survival rates in adult horses range from 84% [6] to 90% [2] with 54% [6] to 81% [2] of horses returning to previous levels of performance [2, 4–6], except horses where solar foot penetration caused septic synovitis. In one larger scale study by Findley et al [3] survival to discharge was only 56 and 36% returned to their previous athletic function. Introduction of pathogens into a synovial cavity causes a strong inflammatory response resulting in local swelling, heat and pain and eventually leading to enzymatic breakdown of hyaluronic acid and cartilage [7].…”

Pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime after regional limb perfusion in standing horses

“…Distal limb injuries resulting in septic synovitis are common in horses and often lead to a poor outcome . Regional limb perfusion (RLP) with an antimicrobial drug is a simple and effective method of treating horses with synovial injuries .…”

Should I use magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate horses with foot penetrations?

“…A further large retrospective study evaluated the outcome for horses with solar penetration wounds that underwent surgery for synovial sepsis (Findley et al 2014). These authors stated that the majority of horses sustained injuries to three structures, most commonly DDFT, DIPJ and NB.…”