Tibiotarsal arthropathy in equine: aggravation after intra-articular application of corticosteroids and results of arthroscopic surgical treatment – case report

Abstract

Orthopaedic articular diseases (arthropathies) are among the main causes of equine retirement from sport, and lead to significant costs and losses in equine farming. Synovial effusion is a frequent sign of these diseases and this alteration is commonly treated with intra-articular corticosteroid infiltration. Although corticosteroids have an effective action when used in adequate doses, their misuse can have deleterious effects on the joint tissue with lesions in the chondrocytes, generating an inflammatory and degenerative process. The aim of this paper is to report a case of tibiotarsal arthropathy induced by the application of corticosteroids in a quarter horse, used in vaquejada competitions, treated by video arthroscopy associated with clinical therapy with full recovery and return to sport.