The use of infrared thermography in the early diagnosis of septic arthritis in calves

The aim of this study was to compare the usefulness of thermographic examination of calves with septic arthritis with other diagnostic techniques such as synovial fluid analysis, radiography, ultrasonography and arthroscopy. Thirteen affected joints from eleven calves were used for the trial. The noninfected joints of the trial calves were used as negative controls. Thermography findings showed that heat from 100% of the affected joints was significantly increased. Subchondral osteolysis and new periosteal bone proliferation of articular bones and widening of the intra-articular joint spaces was observed in 10 joints (76.9%) using radiography. Ultrasound examination of all affected joints showed increased effusion with moderate homogeneous echoic structure. Arthroscopic examination showed synovitis and erosion of cartilage in 61.5% and osteophytic formation in 30.7% of affected joints. All diagnostic methods could be used to diagnose joint disease but it was found that thermographic examination in calves with septic arthritis is an easy convenient method to make an earlier diagnosis, which improves treatment success rates.