Improvment of surgical technique and rehabilitation in arthroscopic procedures

Abstract

Arthroscopy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool for joint diseases in horses. It´s a minimally invasive procedure that inflicts less damage to the joint capsule and surrounding tissues, leading to faster return to competition. Pressured fluid is often used to distend the capsule for better visualization of the joint structures. To the maintenance of the pressure an ongoing flow system is necessary providing joint distention as well fluid egress containing cytokines and cartilage debris with some therapeutic effects. After surgical intervention, the rehabilitation of the joint is important for better outcome of the horse. It should begin just after anesthetic recovery and perpetuate during initial postoperative period. Despite physiotherapy to be a recognized technique with beneficial effects, an adequate protocol was not established for equine arthroscopy postoperative period. During arthroscopic surgery is important to cause less damage to the articular cartilage, to reduce the postoperative joint inflammation and edema formation on adjacent tissues, to improve the joint range of motion and reduce pain, for a better joint recovery and maintenance of the athletic capacity. To achieve this propose the present study aims to determine which temperature would be the best for fluid infused during the arthroscopy and evaluate a rehabilitation protocol for the postoperative period. (AU)