Projektleder: Lektor Denis Verwilghen, 

Complete project title:

An investigation into the pharmacological stability, the clinical efficacy, and the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potency of local anaesthetics used in equine orthopaedic work-up

Diseases leading to lameness are of major concern horse owners because they not only affect performance but they also lead to direct economic losses and to suffering of the horse. In fact lameness seems to be the most prevalent disorder keeping horses out of activity and lameness investigation composes the largest clinical activity encountered in equine veterinary practices. In the majority of orthopedic investigations a set of artistic and clinical skills are needed to unravel the origin of the lameness.

A methodical approach consisting of palpation and inspection of the patient under various conditions may lead the clinician to define the limb or limbs in which the claudication occurs. A further fundamental is the use of diagnostic analgesia to localize the origin of pain within the lame limb by stepwise attempting to abolish the pain.

Clinical experience reveals that local anesthetics used in equine practice are rarely stored under ideal conditions as recommended by manufacturers, which may affect their stability.

Iatrogenic septic arthritis is severe complication of intrasynovial analgesia. Many practitioners will therefore add antimicrobial drugs when performing intrasynovial analgesia. In the light of increasing antimicrobial resistance, the development of strategies for prudent use of antimicrobials is mandatory. Reducing the incidence of non-justified use of intrasynovial antibiotics may come from reviving the once investigated antimicrobial potential of local anesthetics.

This project aims at investigating the pharmacological stability, the clinical efficacy, and the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potency of local anesthetics used in equine orthopedic work-up.

Perspectives of the research

Validation of efficacy of the used products is mandatory to allow correct clinical use. Further, if the antimicrobial potential of the local anesthetics can be proven against common equine pathogens involved in joint sepsis, data supporting the reduced usage of antibiotics can be provided.