Effects of induced lameness via carpal osteochondral fragmentation on plasma creatine kinase activity in horses

Abstract

Objective To determine whether or not plasma creatine kinase (CK) values could be used as a reliable indicator for skeletal-based lameness. Design Pilot study. Animals Eight adult horses of Quarter Horse lineage. Procedure All 8 horses (4 treatment, 4 control) received arthroscopic surgery on bilateral carpal joints, with an osteochondral fragment created in 1 knee of the treatment group only. Two weeks post-operatively, horses began treadmill work. Pre-exercise and 4-hour post-exercise blood samples were obtained for plasma CK measurement from horses in both treatment and control groups. Results Horses that received a carpal chip fracture (treatment group) produced greater levels of change in plasma CK when pre- and post-exercise values were compared than did horses without osteochondral fragmentation. Although changes in CK activity were reported, none of the CK values were outside the normal range. Conclusions and clinical relevance Results of this study hoped to lend performance horse practitioners another reliable tool in diagnosing skeletal-based lameness, using elevations in the muscle enzyme CK as the marker. In addition, skeletal-based lameness and gait alteration as causes of increased muscle enzymes were ruled out. Changes in plasma CK values were greater for horses in the treatment group when pre- and post-exercise samples were compared. However, elevations in CK were too inconsistent to be considered diagnostic for correlating skeletal lameness, muscle health, and exercise.