Arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments of the palmar/plantar aspect of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of arthroscopic surgery in 42 Standardbred trotters and three Finnish horses. Forty-five horses were operated on. The age range was one to seven years; 73 per cent of the horses were three years old or younger. Horses showed a variety of clinical signs ranging from moderate to severe lameness at slow speeds, to obscure lameness manifesting only at high speeds. Synovial effusion of the fetlock joint was rare. In this series, 44 horses that had Type I fragments and one horse that had Type III fragments were operated on. Of the 45 horses operated on, 23 (51 per cent) returned to speed training in three months and 41 (91 per cent) returned to speed training in six months. Three of 45 (6 per cent) were lame three months after the surgery when the trainer attempted to start speed training. One of those was sound six months after the operation. The remaining two (4 per cent) stayed lame due to a lesion in the affected joint. Two of 45 (4 per cent) discontinued training for other reasons. The horse with Type III fragments returned to speed training in three months.
Publication Date: 1991-05-01 PubMed ID: 1884695DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb02747.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study discusses the outcomes of arthroscopic surgery on 45 horses that suffered from osteochondral fragments in the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints. Basically, the majority of the horses successfully returned to speed training within six months after surgery.
Demographics of Involved Horses
In total, 45 horses, including 42 Standardbred Trotters and three Finnish horses, underwent arthroscopic surgery. The ages of these horses ranged from one to seven years, with a significant majority (73%) being three years old or younger. These horses exhibited a variety of symptoms, though moderate to severe lameness, particularly at slow speeds, was common.
Pre-operative Observations
- Most horses manifested diverse clinical signs, from moderate to severe lameness at slow speeds to obscure lameness noticeable only at high speeds.
- Synovial effusion or swelling of the fetlock joint was occasioinally observed in the affected horses.
- Of the 45 horses, 44 had Type I osteochondral fragments while just one had Type III fragments.
Surgery Results
- After the arthroscopic surgery, 23 of the 45 horses (51%) returned to their regular speed training routines within three months.
- By six months, 41 of the 45 horses (an overwhelming 91%) had returned to speed training.
- Three horses (6%) remained lame three months after the surgery but one of these recovered by the sixth month.
- The remaining two horses (4%) stayed lame due to a lesion in the joint operated on.
Post-surgery Setbacks
- Although most horses recovered well, two of the 45 (4%) discontinued their training due to reasons unrelated to the operation.
- Interestingly, the single horse with Type III osteochondral fragments, considered to be a more severe condition, was able to return to speed training within three months.
Conclusion
In summary, this research indicates that arthroscopic surgery can be an effective solution for horses suffering from osteochondral fragments in their metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints, with the majority able to return to their usual speed training within six months post-surgery.
Cite This Article
APA
Houttu J.
(1991).
Arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments of the palmar/plantar aspect of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints.
Equine Vet J, 23(3), 163-165.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb02747.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Tampere Equine Clinic, Finland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Metacarpus / surgery
- Metatarsus / surgery
- Osteochondritis / surgery
- Osteochondritis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- McCoy AM, Secor EJ, Roady PJ, Gray SM, Klein J, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD. Plantar osteochondral fragments in young Standardbreds are associated with minimal joint inflammation at the time of surgical removal. Equine Vet J 2023 Jan;55(1):33-41.
- Hendrickson EHS, Lykkjen S, Dolvik NI, Olstad K. Prevalence of osteochondral lesions in the fetlock and hock joints of Standardbred horses that survived bacterial infection before 6 months of age. BMC Vet Res 2018 Dec 10;14(1):390.
- Vos NJ. Incidence of osteochondrosis (dissecans) in Dutch warmblood horses presented for pre-purchase examination. Ir Vet J 2008 Jan 1;61(1):33-7.
- Roneus B, Arnason T, Collinder E, Rasmussen M. Arthroscopic removal of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments (POF) in the metacarpo- and metatarso-phalangeal joints of standardbred trotters--outcome and possible genetic background to POF. Acta Vet Scand 1998;39(1):15-24.
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