Laser facilitated ankylosis of the pastern join

Abstract

A healthy Thoroughbred gelding presented for lameness. Clinical Findings: 4/5 forelimb lameness and evidence of pastern joint osteoarthritis. Treatment: In this horse, the pastern joint was ankylosed under general anesthesia using a diode laser at 1000-4200J inserted into five 20G needles at various angles within the joint. Lameness was evaluated pre and post surgery, as were radiographs. No gross or histologic examinations were performed. Outcome: Horse was sounds post surgery, follow up radiographs are yet to be taken. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Laser facilitated ankylosis appeared to be a cost effective and efficacious method of managing chronic forelimb osteoarthritis of the pastern joint. The recovery was rapid and there was no post surgical lameness.