Clinical relevance of radiographic findings in proximal sesamoid bones of two-year-old standardbreds in their first year of race training.
Abstract: Radiographs of all 4 fetlocks of 71 Standardbred racehorses were obtained at 3-month intervals for 1 year. Radiographic findings in the abaxial surface of the proximal sesamoid bones were classified into 3 types according to the severity of lesions, and correlation was made with clinical findings at time of examination. Type-1 lesions (1 or 2 linear defects less than or equal to 1 mm wide) were detected in 55% of horses at the start of training; clinical signs of disease were not manifested, and lesions did not become clinically relevant. Type-2 lesions (3 or more linear defects less than or equal to 1 mm wide) were detected in horses not manifesting clinical signs of disease, and were more frequently observed after 3 months of training. However, 66% of horses affected with diseases of the suspensory apparatus, including superficial flexor tendinitis and suspensory desmitis, also manifested this type of lesion. When lameness was observed, it was associated with the soft tissue problem, and the sesamoid bone changes were considered secondary. Type-3 lesions (wide, abnormally shaped linear defects) were detected in 7 horses at the start of the study; lesions remained in horses throughout the study and were consistently associated with lameness during training. Type-3 lesions were considered clinically relevant and indicative of primary sesamoiditis.
Publication Date: 1991-06-15 PubMed ID: 1885310
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
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Correlation Analysis
- Diagnosis
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Exercise
- Horse Training
- Lameness
- Longitudinal Study
- Musculoskeletal System
- Pathophysiology
- Radiology
- Sesamoid Bones
- Standardbred Horses
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Research
- Young Horses
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 study aimed to classify and understand the association between radiographic findings of proximal sesamoid bone lesions in Standardbred racehorses, and the clinical signs of these diseases. 71 horses were monitored, with radiographs taken at three-month intervals. The findings showed different categories of lesions, with varying degrees of clinical relevance and association with lameness.
Methodology
- The study involved taking radiographs of all four fetlocks of 71 Standardbred racehorses every three months for one year.
- Findings on the abaxial surface of the proximal sesamoid bones were categorized into three types according to the severity of lesions.
- A correlation was then made with clinical findings at the time of examination.
Results
- Type-1 lesions, which were characterized by one or two linear defects with a width of <= 1mm, were found in 55% of the horses at the beginning of the training. These horses didn't show clinical signs of disease, and the lesions were not considered to be clinically relevant.
- Type-2 lesions, characterized by three or more linear defects with a width of <= 1mm, were found more frequently after three months of training. Although not manifesting clinical signs of disease, 66% of horses that had diseases of the suspensory apparatus had this type of lesion. When lameness was observed, it was linked with the soft tissue problem and the changes in the sesamoid bones were regarded as secondary.
- Type-3 lesions were abnormally wide and shaped linear defects. They were found in 7 horses at the start of the study and remained consistent throughout the study. These were linked with lameness during training and were considered to be clinically relevant and suggestive of primary sesamoiditis.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that the severity and type of lesions on the proximal sesamoid bones in racehorses vary in clinical relevance.
- The type-3 lesions, especially, were considered a primary sign of a condition called sesamoiditis due to their consistent association with lameness throughout the study.
Cite This Article
APA
Hardy J, Marcoux M, Breton L.
(1991).
Clinical relevance of radiographic findings in proximal sesamoid bones of two-year-old standardbreds in their first year of race training.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 198(12), 2089-2094.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Radiography
- Sesamoid Bones / diagnostic imaging
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Peat FJ, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Keenan DP, Berk JT, Mork DS. Radiological findings in the proximal sesamoid bones of yearling and 2-year-old Thoroughbred sales horses: Prevalence, progression and associations with racing performance. Equine Vet J 2025 Jan;57(1):87-100.
- Seghrouchni M, Elkasraoui H, Piro M, Alyakine H, Bouayad H, Chakir J, Tligui N, Elallali K, Azrib R. Osteoarticular radiographic findings of the distal forelimbs in Tbourida Horses. Heliyon 2019 Sep;5(9):e02514.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
