Intra-articular pressure in the horse

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intra-articular pressure in horses with chronic distal forelimb lameness. Fifty-six distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the forelimbs of 36 horses were clinically and radiographically investigated in addition to measuring intra-articular pressure. Forty coffin joints of sound horses were used as controls. The peak pressure was registered for each articulation. The mean and Standard deviation pressure measured in sound horses bearing weight on both limbs was 36.8±16.0 mm Hg and 69.6±23.7 mm Hg when the contra-lateral was raised. In diseased horses the mean and standard deviation pressure measured in the two positions was 66.5±7.6 mmHg and 132.8±43.3 mm Hg respectively. These results indicate that pressure values of the coffin joint are higher in horses with a painful condition of the distal portion of the forefoot in comparison to normal horses. No correlation was found between articular pressure and the pattern of radiographical changes of the DIP joint or distal sesamoid bone. No weight, breed or attitude differences were detected among sound horses and no complications have been reported after pressure measurements. Pressure measurement may be considered as a useful aid to localize pathologic conditions involving the DIP joint or the navicular bone.