Infectious (Septic) Arthritis, Joint Ill, and Synovitis in Horses
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Infection of the joint and the surrounding structures is called septic arthritis. Similar in nature are infections of other synovial structures like tendon sheaths (septic synovitis or tenosynovitis)and bursa (septic bursitis). Also prone to infection is the growth plate of foals, this is called septic physitis.

Any acute onset of heat, swelling, and lameness in or around a joint or tendon sheath should always be suspected to be a possible infection. The consequence of not treating joint and synovial infection early and aggressively can be permanent lameness. More aggressive techniques of treatment have been shown to greatly increase the prognosis of infected joints and synovial structure. This article discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of septic arthritis infection of joints and physis of adults and foals. Any specific consideration for infection of a particular joint or synovial space is handled in the lameness article on that joint or space.

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