Risk of septic arthritis after intra‐articular medication: a study of 16, 624 injections in Thoroughbred racehorses. Issue 7 (20th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Steel, CM; Pannirselvam, RR; Anderson, GA
• Is Part Of: Australian veterinary journal. Volume 91:Issue 7(2013)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2013-06-20
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Australia -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/avj.12073
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-0423

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="avj12073-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>The aims of this study were to determine the risk of septic arthritis after intra‐articular medication (IAM) and to identify potential risk factors for this complication.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12073-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>A retrospective and prospective descriptive study of prevalence, and matched case–control study for risk factors.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12073-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Of 16, 624 joints injected in 1103 horses at 6695 horse‐visits, septic arthritis occurred as a complication in 13 joints (13 horses). The risk of septic arthritis following IAM was 7.8 cases per 10, 000 injections or 1 case per 1279 injections. Veterinarian and type of corticosteroid were identified as risk factors.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12073-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Septic arthritis is an uncommon complication of IAM in horses, yet the risk is substantially higher than that reported in humans. The risk was higher for some veterinarians; identifying the reason for this was beyond the scope of this study, yet we presume they may have paid less attention to strict aseptic technique. A larger study may be needed to clarify whether the risk is greater with certain types of corticosteroids and to identify additional risk factors.</p> </sec> </abstract>