Characteristics of digital flexor tendon sheath fluid from clinically normal horses
Malark, J.A.; Nixon, A.J.; Skinner, K.L.; Mohammed, H.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 52(8): 1292-1294
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 1928911 Document Number: 371827
Physical, biochemical, and cytologic properties of synovial fluid from digital flexor tendon sheaths of clinically normal horses were investigated. Tendon sheath fluid was pale yellow, clear and did not clot. Volume of fluid within a tendon sheath varied minimally, with a mean of 2.11 ml. Total erythrocyte counts were higher than values observed in normal equine joint fluid, whereas values for total leukocyte count (770 .+-. 73 cells/mm3), viscosity (6.05 .+-. 0.58 cs), and protein concentration (7.87 .+-. 0.03 mg/ml) were similar to those in joint fluid. Large mononuclear cells were the predominant synovial fluid cell type. Mean hyaluronic acid concentration (0.74 .+-. 0.02 mg/ml) and mucinous precipitate quality were lower than values in joint fluid.