Diagnostic stifle joint arthroscopy using a needle arthroscope in standing horses

Abstract

This preliminary work indicates that an 18 g arthroscope can be used for diagnostic examination of the equine stifle in standing horses.

Cartilage Therapy and Repair in Equine Athletes

“…The use of an 18-gauge, disposable arthroscope to evaluate the stifle joint in the standing horse has been recently described (38). Currently used strictly as a diagnostic tool in the equine stifle, this novel procedure helps identify lesions and gives vital information regarding severity and anatomic extent of disease.…”

Instrumentation

“…Generally, surgeons should choose the largest-diameter arthroscope that can safely be inserted and maneuvered without causing damage. Similarly, a small-diameter flexible arthroscope inserted through an 18-gauge needle (see Chapter 7) has been successfully used in standing stifle diagnostic arthroscopy for several years (Frisbie et al, 2013). However, these are fragile, allow less illumination, and provide a much smaller field of view (90 degrees for a 2.7-mm scope and 75 degrees for a 1.9-mm scope).…”

Diagnostic needle arthroscopy of the tarsocrural joint in standing sedated horses

“…Standing arthroscopic techniques have been reported in horses for the diagnosis and/or treatment of pathologies in two joints . One of these studies introduced the use of a 1.2‐mm‐diameter needle arthroscope (BioVision Technologies, Golden, Colorado) for diagnostic arthroscopy of the stifle, overcoming some of the diagnostic limitations in that area . This system has also been used by one of the authors (A.G.B.)…”

“…Needle arthroscopy is commonly used in human medicine for diagnostic purposes, especially to avoid the delay and cost associated with advanced diagnostic imaging (ie, MRI) and to improve diagnostic accuracy . Other benefits of needle arthroscopy are the portability of the system, direct joint visualization, excellent maneuverability in the standing patient, and the intrinsic minimal invasiveness of the technique when this small arthroscope is used . For these reasons, the commonly affected tarsocrural joint (TCj) may benefit from developing a standing arthroscopic procedure .…”