SYNOVIAL-FLUID AND CLINICAL CHANGES AFTER ARTHROSCOPIC PARTIAL SYNOVECTOMY OF THE EQUINE MIDDLE CARPAL JOINT

Changes in synovial fluid and clinical variables after arthroscopic pa rtial synovectomy of the middle carpal joint were studied in 12 normal horses. A 7 mm motorized synovial resector was inserted into each mid dle carpal joint; one middle carpal joint of each horse was randomly s elected to have arthroscopic synovectomy (treated) and the opposite jo int was lavaged (control). Lameness examinations and synovial fluid an alyses were performed before operation and at 8, 14, 21, and 28 days a fter operation. Lameness variables did not differ between treated and control legs. Middle carpal and carpometacarpal joint circumference me asurements were increased for 4 weeks. Synovial fluid specific gravity , pH, total protein, albumin con-centration, and alpha-l-, beta- and g amma-globulin concentrations, at 8 and 14 days were significantly high er than before operation in both treated and control middle carpal joi nts. No significant differences were found between treated and control middle carpal joints at any time for color, clarity, pH, mucin clot f ormation, total protein, albumin, and globulin fractions. Arthroscopic partial synovectomy and lavage did not cause significant lameness and resulted in a synovitis indistinguishable from synovitis related to a rthroscopic lavage alone.