Arthroscopic surgery in racehorses with joint osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) or trauma, Onl J Vet Res., 19(4): 247-253, 2015. Thirty Arabian, mixed and throughbred male or female horses aged 1 to 9 years were used. Routine clinical examinations and diagnostic analgesia localized the lameness and radiography detected the lesions. Twenty-eight horses with joint fragments underwent arthroscopic surgery for removal of fragments followed by debridement of their defective underneath beds under general anesthesia. In 2 horses, fixation of slab fractures by arthroscopy with screws in lag fashion were performed in carpal joints. Postoperative antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory and limbs bandaging were administered. The appropriate stall rest periods and rehabilitation exercise programs for gradual return to normal activities depending on severity and location of the injuries were prescribed for each horse. Carpus and stifle joints were most frequently affected by chip fracture and OCD respectively. Most horses (~80%) returned to normal activity in follow up surveys.

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