Synovial fluid analysis and equine joint disorders

In this report, we review our experience of comprehensive synovial fluid analysis in over 2500 equine cases studied over the past two years. These investigations have indicated that synovial membrane inflammation and articular degeneration are important factors in many common joint disorders and contribute significantly to joint dysfunction. Information gained through synovial fluid analysis can indicate the nature and extent of intra-articular pathologies and is a valuable adjunct to other diagnostic techniques in establishing diagnoses, selecting treatments, and developing realistic prognoses. Variations in joint fluid parameters were shown in this study to be useful in differentiating a normal joint from such disorders as traumatic effusion acute synovitis, chronic synovitis and leukocytic synovitis. The most helpful synovial fluid parameters in this study were relative viscosity, hyaluronic acid, mucin clot, protein, leukocyte count and cartilage fragments.