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Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14111

Auxiliary osseous findings in fetlocks of non-racing sports horses with sagittal groove disease of the proximal phalanx on low-field magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: Sagittal groove disease of the proximal phalanx in equine athletes is commonly considered a bone stress injury. Repetitive hyperextension of the fetlock under high load is thought to contribute to its development. Concurrent changes are often reported in the dorsal sagittal ridge of the third metacarpus/metatarsus (MC3/MT3). Objective: To describe the spectrum of associated osseous abnormalities that are present in the fetlock in a large group of horses diagnosed with sagittal groove disease on low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional. Methods: MRI images of horses diagnosed with sagittal groove disease at Equitom Equine Clinic between March 2014 and March 2023 were evaluated using semi-quantitative grading schemes and a sagittal groove disease MRI classification system. Results: MRIs of 132 limbs were evaluated, predominantly from warmbloods used for showjumping (n = 83) and dressage (n = 18). Osseous densification and bone oedema-like signal grades were higher in the dorsal sagittal ridge than palmarly/plantarly (p < 0.001 and p  0.05). Conclusions: Inclusion based on original MRI reports, absence of control group, small numbers within some grading groups hindering statistical analyses. Conclusions: Findings support the aetiological theories of chronic bone-stress due to loaded fetlock hyperextension however the severity of osseous changes of the dorsal sagittal ridge does not appear to be associated with the severity of sagittal groove disease classification. Unassigned: La enfermedad del surco sagital (SGD) de la falange proximal en equinos atletas, es considerada comúnmente como un lesión de hueso por estrés. Se piensa que la hiperextensión repetitiva del nudo bajo alta carga contribuye a su desarrollo. Cambios concurrentes ocurren menudo en la cresta sagital dorsal del tercer metacarpo/metatarso (MC3/MT3). Objective: Describir el espectro de anomalías óseas asociadas que están presentes en el nudo en un gran grupo de caballos diagnosticados con SGD por imágenes de resonancia magnética de baja frecuencia (MRI). DISEÑO DEL ESTUDIO: Retrospectivo, transversal. MÉTODOS: Imágenes de MRI de caballos diagnosticados con SGD en la Clínica Equina Equitom de Marzo 2014 a Marzo 2023, fueron evaluadas usando esquemas de graduación semi‐cuantitativos y un sistema de clasificación de SGD MRI. Results: MRIs de 132 extremidades fueron evaluadas, proveniente principalmente de caballos de sangre caliente (Warmblood) usados para salto (n = 83) y adiestramiento (n = 18). Densificación ósea y los grados de las señales parecidas al edema de hueso, eran mayores en la cresta sagital dorsal que en palmar/plantar (p < 0.001 y p  0.05). Unassigned: Inclusión basada en los informes de MRI originales, ausencia de grupo de control, numero pequeño dentro de algunos de los grupos por graduación lo que no permitió hacer análisis estadísticos. Conclusions: Los hallazgos apoyan las teorías etiológicas del estrés óseo crónico debido a la hiperextensión del nudo bajo carga, sin embargo la severidad de los cambios óseos de la cresta sagital dorsal no parecen estar asociada con la severidad de la clasificación SGD.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-05 PubMed ID: 38840437DOI: 10.1111/evj.14111Google 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.

The study is about investigating the associated bone abnormalities in horses diagnosed with a condition called sagittal groove disease using a low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method. The researchers discovered that changes in the bone of the horse’s fetlock, particularly related to bone densification and oedema-like signals, are linked to the said disease, though there was no clear correlation with the severity of the disease.

Research Context

  • Sagittal groove disease of the proximal phalanx is a common bone stress injury experienced by equine athletes. It is generally believed to be a result of repetitive, high-strain hyperextension of the fetlock, a hinge-like joint located between the animal’s hoof and lower leg.
  • The occurrence of this disease often coincides with changes in the dorsal sagittal ridge of the third metacarpus/metatarsus (MC3/MT3), an upper region of the horse’s leg.

Objective and Methodology

  • The purpose of the study was to catalog the range of bone abnormalities associated with the disease, utilizing low-field MRI for diagnosis and analysis.
  • The research employed retrospective, cross-sectional methods. The MRI images of horses diagnosed with sagittal groove disease at Equitom Equine Clinic between March 2014 and March 2023 were gathered and evaluated using semi-quantitative grading schemes and a sagittal groove disease MRI classification system.

Outcomes

  • From the total 132 limbs studied, most were from warmbloods commonly used for dressage and showjumping.
  • The severity of bone densification and oedema-like signals, which are evidences of bone changes, were found to be higher on the dorsal sagittal ridge compared to palmar or plantar locations (both located in the lower regions of the fetlock).
  • The severity of osseous changes didn’t significantly differ across various sagittal groove disease MRI classifications, implying that the bone changes observed might not necessarily reflect the severity of the disease.

Drawbacks and Conclusions

  • The study faced some limitations, such as reliance on original MRI reports, absence of a control group, and small numbers within some grading groups which hindered statistical analyses.
  • Nonetheless, the research supports the prevailing theories that chronic bone stress due to loaded fetlock hyperextension contributes to the onset of sagittal groove disease.
  • However, the severity of bone changes evident in MRI imaging does not appear to be directly associated with the severity of sagittal groove disease, suggesting that diagnostic and therapeutic strategies may need to consider factors beyond observable osseous changes.

Cite This Article

APA
Faulkner JE, Joostens Z, Broeckx BJG, Hauspie S, Mariën T, Vanderperren K. (2024). Auxiliary osseous findings in fetlocks of non-racing sports horses with sagittal groove disease of the proximal phalanx on low-field magnetic resonance imaging. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14111

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Faulkner, Josephine E
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Joostens, Zoë
  • Equine Diagnostic Centre, Equitom Equine Clinic, Lummen, Belgium.
Broeckx, Bart J G
  • Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Hauspie, Stijn
  • Equine Diagnostic Centre, Equitom Equine Clinic, Lummen, Belgium.
Mariën, Tom
  • Equine Diagnostic Centre, Equitom Equine Clinic, Lummen, Belgium.
Vanderperren, Katrien
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Nagy A, Dyson SJ. Combined standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging and fan-beam computed tomographic diagnosis of fetlock region pain in 27 sports horses. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1313-1327.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14504pubmed: 40123444google scholar: lookup
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