Lacerations Involving Synovial Structures: Initial Treatment and Novel Therapy for Infectious Arthritis/Tenosynovitis

Infection of a synovial structure is a disabling and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improves the prognosis for open joint injuries in horses. An understanding of risk factors and knowledge of proper diagnostics is important to avoid a delay in the correct diagnosis of an open synovial structure, initiate treatment before synovial structure infection develops, and improve prognosis for return to function. This article focuses on initial evaluation and therapy directed at the contaminated open synovial structure before the development of an established infection. Surgical treatment options as well local therapy for infected synovial structures are also discussed.