Septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint in horses - Diagnosis, radiological changes and therapy

A retrospective study (1984-1994) was made of 10 cases of septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint in horses aged 7 months to 17 years. In 6 cases a hind limb was affected, in 4 cases a front limb. The arthritis was caused either by a puncture wound in the sole area (8 cases), by a perforating wound in the coronary region (1) or iatrogenic (1). All horses exhibited a severe lameness at the walk. Radiography showed no typical lesions in fresh cases, whilst later an increasing subluxation of the joint was observed followed by periosteal reactions. Therapy included partial resection of the deep flexor tendon and fenestration of the Lig. impar in cases of nail puncture, single or repeated joint lavages carried out either under general anesthesia or on the standing horse, and broad spectrum antibiotic therapy, using mainly penicillin and gentamicin, 5 out of 10 horses were treated successfully.