Comparison of basilar and axial sesamoidean approaches for digital flexor tendon sheath synoviocentesis and injection in horses

Objective—To define a method for the basilar sesamoidean approach (BSA) to the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) in horses and compare it with the axial sesamoidean approach (ASA) for DFTS synoviocentesis and injection. Design—Evaluation study. Animals—12 healthy adult mares without evidence of abnormalities related to the lower limbs. Procedures—Each horse had 1 forelimb and 1 hind limb assigned to each DFTS approach (basilar vs axial, relative to the proximal sesamoid bones) in a Latin square design. The order of horses and of limb injection for each horse was randomly selected. All procedures were performed in standing sedated horses. The number of attempts to place a needle in the DFTS, presence of synovial fluid in the needle hub, time for DFTS injection, and number of accurate injections of sterile contrast material into the DFTS (evaluated by means of radiography) were compared between methods. Results—Median time for injection was significantly shorter for the BSA, compared with the ASA. The med...