Cover American Journal of Veterinary Research
American Journal of Veterinary Research
ISSN:
0002-9645
Publication Date:
01 Jan 2014

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Editorial Type:
Bone, Joint, and Cartilage

Comparison between palpation and ultrasonography for evaluation of experimentally induced effusion in the distal interphalangeal joint of horses

Julien Olive DMV, MSc1, Nathalie Lambert DMV2, Kirstin A. Bubeck Dr med vet3, Guy Beauchamp PhD4, and Sheila Laverty MVB5
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  • 1 Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Département de sciences cliniques, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada.
  • | 2 Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Département de sciences cliniques, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada.
  • | 3 Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Département de sciences cliniques, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada.
  • | 4 Département de Pathologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada.
  • | 5 Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Département de sciences cliniques, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.75.1.34
Volume/Issue:
Volume 75: Issue 1
Online Publication Date:
01 Jan 2014
Restricted access
Reprints and Permissions Purchase Article

Abstract

Objective—To ultrasonographically quantify experimentally induced effusion of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of horses and compare results with those obtained with palpation.

Sample—8 forelimbs from equine cadavers and forelimbs of 5 mares.

Procedures—Preliminary ex vivo experiments were performed to validate the methods. Then, the DIP joints of the forelimbs of standing horses were serially distended with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (1, 4, and 10 mL) by injection through an intra-articular catheter. Two ultrasonographers measured distension of the dorsal recess of the DIP joint, and 2 surgeons, who were not aware of the volume injected, graded joint effusion by palpation.

Results—Intraobserver and interobserver repeatability was excellent for ultrasonographic measurements. Interobserver agreement for use of palpation to detect joint distension was moderate (κ = 0.45). There was an overall increase in the palpation distension grade with an increase in injected volume. Sensitivity for detection with palpation of larger volumes (4 and 10 mL) was high (92% and 100%, respectively). However, sensitivity was lower (57%) for detection with palpation of minimal distension (1 mL).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Although palpation provided a reliable clinical assessment of DIP joint effusion for volumes of 4 to 10 mL, ultrasonographic measurements were easy to obtain, more accurate, and able to detect smaller amounts of distension. This may be clinically relevant for the assessment of effusion of the DIP joint that can arise in horses with early osteoarthritis or infectious arthritis with concomitant soft tissue swelling that precludes accurate assessment with palpation.

Contributor Notes

Supported by Pfizer Animal Health Canada through a clinical research fund.

The authors thank Lyne Choquette, Katherine Thogersen, Camille Potvin, Normand Lacasse, and Raphael Vezina for technical assistance.

Address correspondence to Dr. Laverty (sheila.laverty@umontreal.ca).