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Arthroscopic injection of corticosteroids into the fibrous tissue of subchondral cystic lesions of the medial femoral condyle in horses: a retrospective study of 52 cases (2001-2006).
Abstract: There are no published results of subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) in the medial femoral condyle (MFC) treated with arthroscopic injection of corticosteroids into the lining of the cyst. Objective: 1) To determine the success rate for treatment of SCLs in the MFC with arthroscopic injection of the fibrous tissue of the cyst with corticosteroids. 2) To identify any factors that may predict outcome. Objective: Injection of the fibrous tissue of SCLs of the MFC with corticosteroids utilising arthroscopic guidance yields a similar or higher chance for intended performance than does arthroscopic debridement as previously reported; this technique will be effective for treating SCLs in older horses. Methods: Horses with clinical and radiographic evidence of a SCL in the MFC were injected with corticosteroids under arthroscopic guidance, and case records and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. A telephone survey of referring veterinarians, owners and trainers was conducted. Results: Thirty-five of 52 (67%) cases were classified as successful involving 73 SCLs of which 56 (77%) were classified as successful. There was no significant association between age group (age3 years) and outcome, or cyst configuration and outcome. Significantly more unilateral SCLs (28/31 [90%] SCLs) were classified as successful than bilateral (28/42: 67%). There were significant differences in outcome based on the surgeon operating the case and an association between pre-existing radiographic findings of osteophytes and negative outcome. Conclusions: Injection of SCLs utilising arthroscopic guidance is an effective alternative method of surgical treatment of SCL. Conclusions: This technique offers a similar chance of success as has been reported with debridement and may allow for a shorter period of convalescence. If unsuccessful, the option remains to debride the cyst in a second surgery.
Publication Date: 2007-12-20 PubMed ID: 18089474DOI: 10.2746/042516408X258843Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article focuses on the treatment of subchondral cystic lesions in the medial femoral condyle of horses. The treatment involved arthroscopic injection of corticosteroids into the lining of the cyst and the study aimed to determine its success rate and any factors that might predict the outcome.
Research Objective
- The main goal of this study was to evaluate the success rate of treating subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) in the medial femoral condyle (MFC) in horses using arthroscopic injections of corticosteroids into the fibrous tissue of the cyst. A secondary objective was to identify any factors that could potentially predict the outcome of the procedure.
Methods
- The study involved horses that showed both clinical and radiographic evidence of SCL in the MFC. These were treated with corticosteroids under arthroscopic guidance. Records of previous cases and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. Additionally, a telephone survey was conducted among veterinarians who referred the cases, as well as the horse owners and trainers.
Results
- Out of 52 cases, 35 (67%) were deemed successful, treating 73 SCLs in the process. 56 out of the 73 SCLs (77%) were also classed as successful. There was no significant correlation between the age of the horse and the outcome of the treatment, nor between the cyst configuration and the outcome.
- Unilateral SCLs had a significantly higher success rate (90%) compared to bilateral SCLs (67%). There were also differences in outcome based on the surgeon performing the procedure. Additionally, pre-existing radiographic signs of bone spurs (osteophytes) were associated with negative outcomes.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that arthroscopic guidance when injecting corticosteroids into SCLs is an effective alternative surgical treatment. The technique was found to have a similar chance of success as debridement, a previously reported treatment method, and could potentially lead to a shorter convalescence period.
- Another important conclusion is that if the corticosteroid injection procedure is unsuccessful, there remains the option to debride the cyst in a subsequent surgery.
Cite This Article
APA
Wallis TW, Goodrich LR, McIlwraith CW, Frisbie DD, Hendrickson DA, Trotter GW, Baxter GM, Kawcak CE.
(2007).
Arthroscopic injection of corticosteroids into the fibrous tissue of subchondral cystic lesions of the medial femoral condyle in horses: a retrospective study of 52 cases (2001-2006).
Equine Vet J, 40(5), 461-467.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408X258843 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital and College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
- Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Bone Cysts / drug therapy
- Bone Cysts / veterinary
- Female
- Femur / drug effects
- Femur / pathology
- Forelimb
- Hindlimb
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Injections, Intra-Articular / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
- Male
- Recovery of Function
- Retrospective Studies
- Stifle / drug effects
- Stifle / pathology
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Kaspiris A, Hadjimichael AC, Lianou I, Iliopoulos ID, Ntourantonis D, Melissaridou D, Savvidou OD, Papadimitriou E, Chronopoulos E. Subchondral Bone Cyst Development in Osteoarthritis: From Pathophysiology to Bone Microarchitecture Changes and Clinical Implementations. J Clin Med 2023 Jan 19;12(3).
- Kol'vek F, Krešáková L, Vdoviaková K, Medvecký Ľ, Žert Z. Modified Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis in a Yearling Filly with an Osseous Cyst-Like Lesion in the Proximal Phalanx. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 28;11(4).
- Moser DK, Schoonover MJ, Sippel KM, Dieterly AM, Ritchey JW, Wall CR. Catastrophic complication following injection and extracorporeal shock wave therapy of a medial femoral condyle subchondral cystic lesion in a 14 year old Arabian mare. Open Vet J 2017;7(2):111-116.
- Tsuzuki N, Seo JP, Yamada K, Haneda S, Furuoka H, Tabata Y, Sasaki N. The effect of a gelatin β-tricalcium phosphate sponge loaded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), bone morphogenic protein-2, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on equine articular cartilage defect. Can Vet J 2013 Jun;54(6):573-80.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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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