Aim:        

 The   evaluation of synovial fluid in equine medicine was used for

1.      The diagnosis of equine lameness and joint disease.

2.      To evaluation the systemic diseases in which joint effusion is part of the clinical picture.

Procedure

1.     The skin should be prepared by clipping the hair and performing a surgical scrub to avoid introducing bacteria into the joint.

2.     Ethyl chloride spray may be used, if needed, on the overlying skin to lessen the sensation of the needle penetration.        

3.     Synovial fluid can be aspirated from most joints with a 1-inch, 18- to 20-gauge needle.

4.     Fluid for cytologic evaluation should be placed in an EDTA tube. However, that EDTA interferes with the mucin clot test. If a mucin clot test is to be run, another aliquot of synovial fluid should be placed in a tube with no anticoagulant (red-top tube) or one containing heparin.

5.     The three most common problems associated with intra-articular injection in horses are septic arthritis, flare reactions and periarticular cellulitis.