Surgical Approach to the Equine Scapulohumeral Joint Through a Longitudinal Infraspinatus Tenotomy

Abstract

Surgical curettage of an osteochondrosis lesion in an equine scapulohumeral joint was performed. A modified approach to the scapulohumeral joint through a longitudinal infraspinatus tenotomy is described. This technique was performed on a second horse that was free of osteochondrosis lesions to further assess the clinical course of healing following this technique. Both operative sites healed well with no evidence of dehiscence. Previously, four similar clinical cases of osteochondrosis were operated on at the same institution through a transverse infraspinatus tenotomy. All four cases exhibited dehiscence with attendant septic arthritis during the postoperative period. The use of a longitudinal infraspinatus tenotomy to approach the equine scapulohumeral joint for surgical curettage does not appear to clinically compromise the lateral collateral support of the shoulder. When compared retrospectively to other cases of transverse infraspinatus tenotomy performed at this clinic, the described technique appears to have a less complicated postoperative period.