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Arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondral chip fractures in the equine carpus.
Abstract: The technique and results of arthroscopic surgery for the removal of osteochondral fragments from 1,000 carpal joints in 591 horses are reported. Of the 591 horses, 580 were racehorses (including 349 Quarter Horses and 220 Thoroughbreds). The distal aspect of the radial carpal bone was the most commonly affected site, followed by the proximal aspect of the intermediate carpal bone and distolateral aspect of the radius. More than one carpal joint was simultaneously operated on in 58.9% of the Quarter Horses and in 37.4% of the Thoroughbreds. Marked differences in the amount of damage were noted at arthroscopy, compared with what was observed on radiography. Arthroscopic surgery was an effective technique for removing the osteochondral fragments as well as for treating other lesions. The overall functional ability as well as cosmetic appearance of the limbs were excellent. There was no postoperative intra-articular infection. Postsurgical follow-up information was obtained for 445 racehorses. After surgery, 303 (68.1%) raced at a level equal to or better than their preinjury level, 49 (11.0%) had decreased performance or still had problems referable to the carpus, 23 (5.2%) were retired without returning to training, 28 (6.3%) sustained another chip fracture, 32 (7.2%) developed other problems, and 10 (2.2%) sustained collapsing slab fractures while racing. When horses were separated into 4 categories of articular damage, the performance in the 2 most severely affected groups was significantly inferior. One hundred thirty-three of 187 horses with grade-1 damage (71.1%), 108 of 144 with grade-2 damage (75.0%), 41 of 77 with grade-3 damage (53.2%), and 20 of 37 horses with grade-4 damage (54.1%) returned to racing at a level equal to or better than their preinjury level. In examining the prognosis relative to site of the fracture, the prognosis for both breeds was worst with lesions of the third carpal bone.
Publication Date: 1987-09-01 PubMed ID: 3667408 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
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 studied the effectiveness of arthroscopic surgery for treating osteochondral fractures in horse’s wrists. The study involved 591 horses, primarily racehorses, where the surgery was used to remove bone fragments from the affected joint. The procedure resulted in a high functional and cosmetic success rate, with no post-surgery infections. In terms of recovery, majority of the horses were able to perform at or even better than their pre-injury levels.
Understanding the Research Subjects
- The research studied 1,000 carpal joints of 591 horses, most of which were racehorses. The majority of these were Quarter Horses (349 cases) and Thoroughbreds (220 cases).
- Arthroscopic surgery on more than one carpal joint at the same time was done in 58.9% of Quarter Horses and 37.4% of Thoroughbreds.
Locations of the Fractures
- The most common area of fracture was found in the lower part of the wrist joint bone (the radial carpal bone).
- The areas following the radial carpal bone in frequency of fractures were the upper section of the intermediate carpal bone and the lateral section of the radial bone.
The Surgery Procedure and Results
- Differences in the severity of damage were apparent when comparing arthroscopy and radiography evidences.
- Arthroscopic surgery was efficient in removing bone fragments and treating other related lesions.
- The surgery resulted in excellent functional outcomes and improved cosmetic appearance of the limbs, with no recorded cases of post-operative intra-joint infections.
Post-Surgery Outcomes
- Follow-up information was gathered for 445 racehorses. Among these, 303 (68.1%) showed race performance similar to or better than their preinjury level.
- There were horses that recorded declined performance, recurring carpal problems, additional fractures, and other issues.
- Articular damage grading showed that performance in horses with severe damage was considerably inferior. However, a significant number of horses with grade-1 to grade-2 damage returned to racing at pre-injury level or better.
- Comparing the outcomes relative to the location of the fracture, lesions of the third carpal bone were associated with the worst prognosis for both breeds.
Cite This Article
APA
McIlwraith CW, Yovich JV, Martin GS.
(1987).
Arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondral chip fractures in the equine carpus.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 191(5), 531-540.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Carpus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Carpus, Animal / injuries
- Carpus, Animal / surgery
- Debridement / veterinary
- Follow-Up Studies
- Forelimb / injuries
- Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
- Fractures, Bone / surgery
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Postoperative Care / veterinary
- Radiography
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Oheida AH, Shalgum AA, Alrtib AM, Booker AO, Ben-Naser KM, Davies HMS. Variation in palmaromedial articulations of carpometacarpal joints in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. Open Vet J 2023 May;13(5):569-575.
- Steel C, Ahern B, Zedler S, Vallance S, Galuppo L, Richardson J, Whitton C, Young A. Comparison of Radiography and Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Third Carpal Bone Fractures in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 25;13(9).
- Tyrnenopoulou P, Karayannopoulou M, Angelopoulou S, Pyrros A, Mparous E, Koliakos G, Diakakis N. Successful management of an equine carpal chip fracture by intra-articularly injected adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction after arthroscopic removal. Iran J Vet Res 2016 Winter;17(1):59-61.
- Elkasapy AH, AbdelGalil AI, Al-Akraa AM, Ibrahim IM, Ismail SF. Arthroscopy of septic carpitis in donkeys (Equus asinus). Open Vet J 2014;4(2):113-7.
- McIlwraith CW, Frisbie DD, Kawcak CE. The horse as a model of naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Bone Joint Res 2012 Nov;1(11):297-309.
- Weese JS, Cruz A. Retrospective study of perioperative antimicrobial use practices in horses undergoing elective arthroscopic surgery at a veterinary teaching hospital. Can Vet J 2009 Feb;50(2):185-8.
- Desjardins MR, Hurtig MB. Diagnosis of equine stifle joint disorders: three cases. Can Vet J 1991 Sep;32(9):543-50.
- Desjardins MR, Hurtig MB. Cartilage healing: A review with emphasis on the equine model. Can Vet J 1990 Aug;31(8):565-72.
- Magnusson LE, Ekman S. Osteoarthrosis of the antebrachiocarpal joint of 7 riding horses. Acta Vet Scand 2001;42(4):429-34.
- Schild CO, Nyaoke A, Asin J, Henderson EE, Blea JA, Stover SM, Uzal FA. A retrospective study of radial fractures in racehorses in California, 2006-2022. J Vet Diagn Invest 2025 Jul 23;:10406387251336267.
- Seewald LA, Sabino IG, Montney KL, Delco ML. Synovial fluid mitochondrial DNA concentration reflects the degree of cartilage damage after naturally occurring articular injury. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2023 Aug;31(8):1056-1065.
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