Intra-articular anaesthesia of the equine stifle improves foot lameness

Intra-articular anaesthesia of the equine stifle improves foot lameness
A. Radtke L. A. Fortier S. Regan S. Kraus M. L. Delco

Background
Equine diagnostic anaesthesia can be a useful tool in challenging lameness examinations. However, anaesthetics diffuse over time leading to nonspecific desensitisation of periarticular structures. Nerves that convey sensation from the distal limb to the central nervous system pass in close proximity to the caudal stifle joint capsule. Therefore, diffusion of intra-articular (IA) anaesthetics could cause inadvertent desensitisation of the distal limb resulting in a false diagnosis of stifle lameness.

Conclusions
Intra-articular stifle anaesthesia reduces foot lameness in a third of horses by up to 50% within 30 min. Clinically, the results of IA stifle anaesthesia should be considered in the light of these findings before treatment recommendations are made, as additional diagnostics may be required to rule out pain originating in the distal limb.