Comparison of Arthroscopy to Ultrasonography for Identification of Pathologic Changes in the Equine Stifle

Ultrasound and arthroscopy should be combined to increase the likelihood of detecting stifle pathology since each modality has its own limitations. When combined, these modalities can provide a more global assessment of pathological changes within the equine stifle. Authors’ addresses: Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (Adrian and Barrett); Department of Clinical Sciences and Orthopaedic Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (Goodrich, Kawcak); and Department of Statistics, College of Natural Sciences (Chapman), Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523; and Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 (Werpy); e-mail: laurie. goodrich@colostate.edu.

1. Introduction

Although descriptions of the arthroscopic and ultrasonographic boundaries of the normal femorotibial joints exist, there are few examples in the literature comparing the pathologic changes observed with each imaging modality. Our objective was to compare the diagnostic capability of arthroscopy to ultrasound in detecting pathologic changes in the equine stifle and to describe how arthroscopic and ultrasound examinations may differ in the grade/ severity of the lesion.

2. Methods

Retrospectively, the structures of the stifle joint were evaluated and graded by scoring arthroscopic and ultrasonographic exams and levels of pathologic changes were graded and compared between the modalities. 

3. Results

Ultrasound detected significantly more lesions within the medial meniscus than arthroscopy. The appearance of insertional desmopathies of the medial cranial meniscotibial ligament could be better assessed with ultrasound compared to arthroscopy; however, arthroscopy had an improved diagnostic capability in the detection of tearing of the medial cranial meniscotibial ligament. Arthroscopy detected more cartilage defects within the medial femoral condyle, but ultrasound identified more osteophytes along the medial femoral condyle. Four patients had defects within one of the patellar ligaments, with this being the major clinical finding in one patient.

4. Conclusion

When combined, arthroscopy and ultrasound can provide a more global assessment of pathological changes within the equine stifle.

Acknowledgments

Conflict of Interest

Drs. Goodrich and Kawcak are shareholders in Advanced Regenerative Therapies, Inc., and Dr. Goodrich is a speaker for Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.