Effects of Carpal Synovectomy on Stride Kinematics of Trotting Horses

Abstract

SummaryA group of eight horses was used to study the effects of synovectomy of one antebrachiocarpal joint on stride kinematics of the trot. Two months after the operation, four of the horses started a progressive exercise program lasting two months. A standardised lameness evaluation and videographic gait analysis were performed on three occasions: two days before the operation, two days after the operation and four months after the operation when the exercise programme had been completed. There were no significant differences in clinical lameness score, amplitude of poll motion, maximal metacarpophalangeal angle, maximal carpal angle, or minimal carpal angle between the synovectomized limb and the unoperated limb on any of the three evaluation days. It is concluded that carpal synovectomy did not cause lameness in the immediate post-operative period, and that strenuous exercise can safely be commenced after a two month recovery period, unless underlying cartilaginous lesions dictate otherwise.Gait analysis was performed qualitatively using a standard clinical examination and quantitatively using videographic analysis to measure kinematic variables that have previously been associated with lameness. Following synovectomy of one antebrachiocarpal joint no signs of lameness were observed on clinical examination and there were no asymmetrics in the kinematic variables. A strenuous exercise program, which commenced 2 months after surgery and lasted for 2 months, was completed without the development of clinical or video-graphic signs of lameness.