Does intra-articular injection of antimicrobials alongside corticosteroids or other medications reduce the risk of synovial sepsis?

  • Helen R Braid University of Liverpool Leahurst Campus Chester High Road Neston Wirral CH64 7TE

Published:

2019-10-30

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v4i4.194

Abstract

PICO question

In horses, does treatment with intra-articular antimicrobials concurrently with intra-articular corticosteroids reduce the risk of iatrogenic synovial sepsis compared to intra-articular corticosteroids alone?

Clinical bottom line

From the current literature, there is no evidence showing that intra-articular injection of antibiotics in conjunction with corticosteroids reduces the risk of synovial sepsis. However, the intra-articular injection of polysulphated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAGs) in combination with corticosteroids was noted as a risk factor for developing iatrogenic synovial sepsis and therefore concurrent antibiotic injection when administering PSGAGs may be warranted. The reported frequency of infection following intra-articular injections was very low (0.02–0.08%).  An overall prevalence of iatrogenic synovial sepsis following all intra-articular injections based on data from all included studies was calculated as 0.02% (CI 0.02–0.03%). However, due to the paucity of literature on the topic, further studies are required in this field to determine more accurate clinical recommendations.

Open Access Peer Reviewed

Author Biography

Helen R Braid, University of Liverpool Leahurst Campus Chester High Road Neston Wirral CH64 7TE

Lecturer in Equine Practice and Equine Practice Vet at the University of Liverpool.

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Vol. 4 No. 4 (2019): The fourth issue of 2019

Section: Knowledge Summaries

Categories :  Small Animal  /  Dogs  /  Cats  /  Rabbits  /  Production Animal  /  Cattle  /  Sheep  /  Pig  /  Equine  / 

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