Abstract
Objective: To report clinical characteristics, surgical
management, and medium-term outcomes of 3 Arabian neonatal foals with
meniscal disruption associated with septic arthritis of the lateral
femorotibial joint. Methods: Three neonatal Arabian foals with
septic arthritis of the lateral femorotibial joint (LFTJ), were
diagnosed with lateral meniscal (LM) tears, based on persistent lameness
despite improving synovial parameters, ultrasound (US) findings
(protrusion of meniscal tissue beyond the level of the condyles, with
hypoechoic regions), contrast Computed Tomography findings, and
confirmed on arthroscopy. Treatment included arthroscopic debridement
and lavage of the joint with debridement of the meniscal tear.
Postoperative care included systemic and intra-articular antimicrobials,
based on culture and sensitivity results. Two of the foals received
intra-articular injections of autologous mesenchymal stem cells.
Results: Grade III meniscal tears were observed in the LFTJ of
the affected joints of all foals, involving the meniscal body (n=3) and
caudal horn (n=1). Purulent material within the torn tissue, was
debrided with a synovial resector. Foal 1 was lame-free as a yearling.
Foal 2 was lame at walk at 7.5 months and euthanatized due to poor
prognosis. Foal 3 showed mild lameness at trot in a straight line at 6
months. Disruption of the LM continued to be visible on US in both foals
at these time-points. Conclusion: Meniscal disruption and
infection should be considered a differential in neonatal foals with
persistent femorotibial septic arthritis. In such cases, the LM could be
the primary nidus of infection.