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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis o...
BMC veterinary research2014; 10; 272; doi: 10.1186/s12917-014-0272-x

Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the hindlimb of Friesian horses: review of 12 cases (2002-2012) and post-mortem analysis of the bone-ligament interface.

Abstract: Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament has been described in Friesian horses as well as in other breeds. The objectives of this study were to review the outcome of clinical cases of this disease in Friesian horses and analyse the pathology of the bone-ligament interface. Case records of Friesian horses diagnosed with axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the period 2002-2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Post-mortem examination was performed on horses that were euthanized (n = 3) and included macroscopic necropsy (n = 3), high-field (9.4 Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging (n = 1) and histopathology (n = 2). Results: Twelve horses were included, aged 6.8 ± 2.7 years. The hindlimb was involved in all cases. Lameness was acute in onset and severe, with a mean duration of 1.9 ± 1.0 months. Three horses were euthanized after diagnosis; 9 horses underwent treatment. Two horses (22%) became sound for light riding purposes, 2 horses (22%) became pasture sound (comfortable at pasture, but not suitable for riding), 5 horses (56%) remained lame. In addition to bone resorption at the proximo-axial margin of the proximal sesamoid bones, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology showed osteoporosis of the peripheral compact bone and spongious bone of the proximal sesamoid bones and chronic inflammation of the intersesamoidean ligament. Conclusions: Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the hindlimb of Friesian horses carries a poor prognosis. Pathological characterization (inflammation, proximo-axial bone resorption and remodelling of the peripheral compact bone and spongious bone of the proximal sesamoid bones) may help in unravelling the aetiology of this disease.
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Publication Date: 2014-11-19 PubMed ID: 25407242PubMed Central: PMC4239326DOI: 10.1186/s12917-014-0272-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research study examines the outcome of 12 clinical cases of Friesian horses suffering from axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament. The main findings suggest that this condition carries a poor prognosis, with potential roots in chronic inflammation and bone resorption.

Study Overview

  • The research looks into a prevalent issue in Friesian horses, axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament. These conditions have been previously reported in several horse breeds, and this study specifically examines the disease in Friesian horses.

Methodology

  • The study made use of case records from 2002-2012 of Friesian horses diagnosed with the conditions under investigation. Data was analyzed retrospectively to understand the progression and effect of the disease.
  • For horses that were euthanized (three in total) following their diagnosis, post-mortem examinations were conducted. These included macroscopic necropsy, high-field (9.4 Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology.

Results and Findings

  • Across 12 studied horses with an average age of 6.8 years, all cases involved the hindlimb. Cases were generally marked by acute and severe lameness with a mean duration of 1.9 months.
  • Three horses were euthanized after diagnosis, while nine underwent treatment. From the treated group, two horses (22%) became sound for light riding, another two (22%) became pasture sound, but five horses (56%) remained lame.
  • Important findings from the magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology included bone resorption at the proximo-axial margin of the proximal sesamoid bones, osteoporosis of both the peripheral compact bone and the spongious bone of the proximal sesamoid bones, and chronic inflammation of the intersesamoidean ligament.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the hindlimb of Friesian horses typically carries a poor prognosis.
  • The pathological features observed – such as inflammation, proximo-axial bone resorption, and remodelling of the peripheral compact bone and spongious bone of the proximal sesamoid bones, could provide insights into the potential causes of this disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Brommer H, Voermans M, Veraa S, van den Belt AJ, van der Toorn A, Ploeg M, Gröne A, Back W. (2014). Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the hindlimb of Friesian horses: review of 12 cases (2002-2012) and post-mortem analysis of the bone-ligament interface. BMC Vet Res, 10, 272. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-014-0272-x

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: 272

Researcher Affiliations

Brommer, Harold
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P,O, Box 80,163, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands. H.Brommer@uu.nl.
Voermans, Margreet
    Veraa, Stefanie
      van den Belt, Antoon J M
        van der Toorn, Annette
          Ploeg, Margreet
            Gröne, Andrea
              Back, Willem

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Female
                • Hindlimb / pathology
                • Horse Diseases / pathology
                • Horses
                • Ligaments / pathology
                • Male
                • Osteitis / veterinary
                • Retrospective Studies
                • Sesamoid Bones

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                Citations

                This article has been cited 2 times.
                1. Merchán A, Voss JK, Dubois MS. Fungal osteitis of the axial aspect of the mid body of the medial proximal sesamoid bone in a horse. Can Vet J 2021 Aug;62(8):867-871.
                  pubmed: 34341602
                2. Le Roux C, Carstens A. Axial sesamoiditis in the horse: A review. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2018 Mar 29;89(0):e1-e8.
                  doi: 10.4102/jsava.v89i0.1544pubmed: 29781675google scholar: lookup
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