Joint fluid can be examined for its physical properties as well as its chemical composition. Normal joint fluid is , pale straw-yellow or clear and should not flow freely out of a joint when a needle is inserted into the joint. The chemical makeup of normal joint fluid includes hyaluronic acid, lubricin, enzymes, electrolytes and immune cells. Any change in the concentration of the normal components or the presence of abnormal chemical components may indicate disease. Joint Morphology The synovial joints of the equine body come in many different shapes. We can classify synovial joints based on their morphological features. Morphological classification gives information on the shape of the articulating surfaces of the bones and tells us about the type or movement and the planes of movement normally available in that joint. Morphological joint types include:
trochoid/pivot joints
hinge joints
condylar/ellipsoidal joints
spiral joints saddle joints
spheroidal joints plane/gliding joints
tight joints
The diagnostic tools used to assess joint health include: Radiography Thermography range of motion assessment palpation joint fluid analysis arthroscopy
Common Causes of Joint Disease
There are four major causes of joint disease. 1. The most common type of cause is
. Trauma can be acute or can be a repetitive stress. With acute trauma we tend to see acute disease, while we tend to see chronic micro-injury accumulating over time with repetitive trauma. 2. Another cause of joint disease is . Generally, the infectious agents are either bacteria or fungi, but systemic viral disease can affect joint health as well. Infection can enter the joint capsule either through a wound that communicates with the external environment or infection may be haematogenous. 3. anomalies may affect the differentiation and organization of joint tissues, preventing the joint from functioning normally.
138
Made with FlippingBook Publishing Software