Acute or chronic synovitis of the tarsocrural joint resulting in distention of the joint capsule can be due to osteochondrosis, degenerative joint disease, trauma, poor joint conformation, or infection, or it can be idiopathic. Lameness can be present, depending on the etiology.
Courtesy of Dr. Hilary Rice.
Diagnosis of tarsocrural joint synovitis is based on clinical signs and a positive response to intra-articular analgesia of the tarsocrural joint, if lameness is present. Radiographs should be taken to exclude osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and other radiologically evident pathology, and ultrasonography should be done to assess the periarticular soft tissue structures. Synoviocentesis of the tarsocrural joint should be performed if sepsis is suspected.
Arthroscopic evaluation of the tarsocrural joint enables assessment of the cartilage and intra-articular portions of the collateral ligaments. Idiopathic effusion of the tarsocrural joint (see tarsocrural joint effusion image) can be diagnosed only after other causes of effusion have been ruled out.
Idiopathic synovitis rarely interferes with use of the horse; however, it might be considered an unacceptable cosmetic blemish. The use of systemic anti-inflammatories and intra-articular orthobiologics, along with bandaging, can decrease effusion, but recurrence is common.
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Also see pet owner content regarding disorders of the tarsus in horses.
