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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / A composite absorbable implant used to treat subchondral bon...
Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(1); 97-105; doi: 10.1111/evj.13428

A composite absorbable implant used to treat subchondral bone cysts in 38 horses.

Abstract: In the last 30 years, several treatments have been proposed to treat subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) but there have been no randomised studies to compare different methods and there is no consensus as to the optimal treatment. Objective: To evaluate a biocompatible absorbable implant for the treatment of SCLs in young horses in different anatomical locations. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses with SCLs were treated with debridement through a trans-cortical extra-articular approach and an absorbable implant was inserted in the cavity. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was recorded and follow up ranged from 28 to 46 months (mean 37 months). Racing records were reviewed. Results: Thirty-eight horses between 10 and 24 months of age were included in the study. In 36 of 38 horses treated, lameness resolved, and 77% average filling of the cyst was measured 120 days after surgery on radiographs. In two cases, surgical complications were recorded. Conclusions: Information about the resorption of the implant is not available. Radiographs were performed in various hospitals or at farms or training stables, therefore, possible minor variations in technique and positioning occurred. Conclusions: The extra-articular approach to the SCLs followed by the insertion of the absorbable implant led to clinical and radiographic improvement of the SCLs at 120 days after surgery. This technique, feasible in different anatomical locations, may offer an alternative to treat SCLs in young horses.
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Publication Date: 2021-02-18 PubMed ID: 33502044DOI: 10.1111/evj.13428Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article explores the effectiveness of a biocompatible absorbable implant used for the treatment of subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) in young horses. The researchers’ findings suggest that this treatment method resulted in notable clinical and radiographic improvements within 120 days post-surgery.

Objective and Methods of the Study

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a biocompatible absorbable implant to treat SCLs in young horses from different anatomical locations. This was an issue of significance as there is currently no consensus on the optimal method of treatment for SCLs.

  • To conduct the study, horses with SCLs were subjected to debridement through a trans-cortical extra-articular approach, after which the absorbable implant was inserted into the cavity.
  • Clinical and radiographic follow-up were documented for each horse, with the follow-up period ranging from 28 to 46 months (with an average of 37 months).
  • Racing records of the horses were also reviewed as part of the study.

Results of the Study

The study included 38 horses between the ages of 10 and 24 months. The results of the research found that:

  • In 36 out of those 38 horses, the condition of lameness was resolved.
  • Approximately 77% average filling of the cyst was measured on radiographs 120 days following the surgery.
  • Two cases reported surgical complications, pointing out risks associated with the procedure.

Conclusions and Limitations of the Study

  • The observed results indicated substantial clinical and radiographic improvements following the surgery.
  • This extra-articular approach to treating SCLs accompanied by the use of an absorbable implant showed potential as a feasible technique for different anatomical locations; thereby presenting an alternative treatment option for SCLs in young horses.
  • However, the research stated that information about the resorption of the implant was not available, signaling a gap in the study.
  • An additional limitation was that radiographs were executed at various hospitals or on farms and training stables, which could have resulted in minor variations in the technique or positioning, potentially affecting the consistency of the results.

Cite This Article

APA
Ravanetti P, Lechartier A, Hamon M, Zucca E. (2021). A composite absorbable implant used to treat subchondral bone cysts in 38 horses. Equine Vet J, 54(1), 97-105. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13428

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 1
Pages: 97-105

Researcher Affiliations

Ravanetti, Paolo
  • Equitecnica Equine Hospital, Parma, Italy.
Lechartier, Antoine
  • Clinique Veterinaire Equine Méheudin, Ecouché, France.
Hamon, Muriel
  • Clinique Veterinaire Equine Méheudin, Ecouché, France.
Zucca, Enrica
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Absorbable Implants
  • Animals
  • Bone Cysts / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Faulkner J, Vanderperren K, Duchateau L, O'Sullivan C. Radiographic prevalence of juvenile osteochondral conditions of the proximal interphalangeal joint of Australian Thoroughbred racehorse yearlings and associations with sales results and race performance. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:988826.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.988826pubmed: 36299626google scholar: lookup
  2. Pál Z, Tuska P, Vásárhelyi G, Hangody L, Hurtig M, Kaposi AD, Bodó G. Mosaic arthroplasty in equine stifle and fetlock joints: A retrospective study of 31 cases between 1998 and 2023. Vet Surg 2025 Aug;54(6):1196-1207.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.14296pubmed: 40576056google scholar: lookup
  3. Pérez-Nogués M, Manso-Díaz G, Spirito M, López-Sanromán J. Treatment Comparison for Medial Femoral Condyle Subchondral Cystic Lesions and Prognosis in Yearling Thoroughbred Racehorse Prospects. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 6;14(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14071122pubmed: 38612360google scholar: lookup
  4. Canonici F, Marcoccia D, Bonini P, Monteleone V, Innocenzi E, Zepparoni A, Altigeri A, Caciolo D, Tofani S, Ghisellini P, Rando C, Pechkova E, Rau JV, Eggenhöffner R, Scicluna MT, Barbaro K. Arthroscopic Treatment of a Subchondral Bone Cyst via Stem Cells Application: A Case Study in Equine Model and Outcomes. Biomedicines 2023 Dec 14;11(12).
    doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11123307pubmed: 38137527google scholar: lookup
  5. Pérez-Nogués M, López-Sanromán J, Spirito M, Manso-Díaz G. Treatments and Prognosis for Subchondral Cystic Lesions in the Distal Extremities in Thoroughbred Prospect Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Sep 7;13(18).
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