INFECTIOUS TENOSYNOVITIS

Infection of a tendon sheath is a critical condition in horses because of the severe lameness produced, difficulty in eliminating infection in synovial structures, and the sequelae that may produce long-term la meness. With tenoscopy and thecal lavage, intrathecal antibiotics, and systemic antibiotics, however, most infections can be eliminated and the prognosis for survival is more than 85%. The prognosis for athleti c performance is approximately 50%. convalescent therapy, including th e judicious use of intrathecal hyaluronan, passive range of motion exe rcises, annuligament resection and immobilization, is critical to clin ical success.