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Veterinary surgery : VS2022; 51(3); 455-463; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13782

Comparative results of 3 treatments for medial femoral condyle subchondral cystic lesions in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Abstract: To compare 3 different methods for treatment of medial femoral condyle (MFC) subchondral cystic lesions in Thoroughbred horses <24 months old based on the criterion of ability to race post-treatment. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Thoroughbreds (n = 107, age < 24 months) diagnosed with MFC subchondral cystic lesions. Methods: Medical records between January 2004 and December 2017 were reviewed. Three treatment methods were used in these horses during that time frame: arthroscopic debridement, intralesional autologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection, and intralesional corticosteroid injection. The outcome evaluated was the ability to compete in a pari-mutuel race. Results: Seventy-eight of 107 Thoroughbreds (73%) raced post-treatment; 41/57 (72%) of horses treated by arthroscopic debridement raced; 16/19 (84%) of horses treated with intralesional MSCs raced; 21/31 (68%) of horses treated with intralesional corticosteroids raced. There was no difference between groups in the ability to start a race. Sex, limb affected, and lesion size also had no effect on the ability to start a race. There was a trend for increasing lesion size reducing the probability of racing. Conclusions: Seventy-three percent of the horses raced, but there was no difference in the ability of unraced Thoroughbreds to race after treatment of MFC subchondral cystic lesions with arthroscopic debridement, intralesional mesenchymal stem cells, or intralesional corticosteroids. Conclusions: The 3 reported treatment options may be considered for treatment of MFC subchondral cystic lesions with a good prognosis for racing post-treatment. Owners should be advised that increasing lesion size decreases the probability of racing.
© 2022 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-15 PubMed ID: 35167130DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13782Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 is a retrospective study that looks at three treatments for a type of knee lesion in young Thoroughbred racehorses, assessing their efficacy based on whether the horses were able to race after treatment. The study found no difference in racing ability post-treatment between the three methods, although it did note a trend that larger lesions might reduce the likelihood of a horse racing again.

Study Background and Methods

  • The study considered a period of data between January 2004 to December 2017, focusing on Thoroughbred horses less than 24 months old with medial femoral condyle (MFC) subchondral cystic lesions. This is a type of knee condition in horses that can influence their capability to race.
  • The primary objective was to compare the effectiveness of three different surgical options: arthroscopic debridement, intralesional autologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection, and intralesional corticosteroid injection. The workability and success of these treatments were evaluated based on the horse’s ability to compete in a pari-mutuel race post-treatment.

Study Results

  • A total of 107 Thoroughbreds were involved in this study. Of this number, 78 horses (approximately 73%) raced post-treatment.
  • The treatment results were broken down further: 72% of horses treated by arthroscopic debridement raced; 84% of horses treated with intralesional MSCs raced; and 68% of horses treated with intralesional corticosteroids raced.
  • The study found no significant difference across the three treatment groups in terms of their ability to start a race.
  • Additionally, the study noted that factors such as the horse’s sex, the limb affected, and lesion size did not appear to have a meaningful impact on the horse’s ability to start a race.
  • However, the study did indicate a trend which suggested that an increasing lesion size might reduce the horse’s probability of racing.

Study Conclusions

  • Considering the overall success rate of 73% of horses being able to race post-treatment, the study concluded that there was no notable difference in the ability of unraced Thoroughbreds to race after receiving one of the three treatments for MFC subchondral cystic lesions.
  • The study suggests that all three treatments, namely, arthroscopic debridement, intralesional mesenchymal stem cells, and intralesional corticosteroids, could be considered viable treatment options for MFC subchondral cystic lesions due to their good prognosis for racing post-treatment.
  • The study also advises horse owners that larger lesion sizes could possibly reduce the probability of the horse racing again post-treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Klein CE, Bramlage LR, Stefanovski D, Ruggles AJ, Embertson RM, Hopper SA. (2022). Comparative results of 3 treatments for medial femoral condyle subchondral cystic lesions in Thoroughbred racehorses. Vet Surg, 51(3), 455-463. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13782

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 3
Pages: 455-463

Researcher Affiliations

Klein, Chelsea E
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Bramlage, Lawrence R
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Stefanovski, Darko
  • New Bolton Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Ruggles, Alan J
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Embertson, Rolf M
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Hopper, Scott A
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Cysts / veterinary
  • Epiphyses
  • Femur
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Pál Z, Tuska P, Vásárhelyi G, Hangody L, Hurtig M, Kaposi AD, Bodó G. Mosaic arthroplasty in equine stifle and fetlock joints: A retrospective study of 31 cases between 1998 and 2023. Vet Surg 2025 Aug;54(6):1196-1207.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.14296pubmed: 40576056google scholar: lookup
  2. Pérez-Nogués M, Manso-Díaz G, Spirito M, López-Sanromán J. Treatment Comparison for Medial Femoral Condyle Subchondral Cystic Lesions and Prognosis in Yearling Thoroughbred Racehorse Prospects. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 6;14(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14071122pubmed: 38612360google scholar: lookup
  3. Canonici F, Marcoccia D, Bonini P, Monteleone V, Innocenzi E, Zepparoni A, Altigeri A, Caciolo D, Tofani S, Ghisellini P, Rando C, Pechkova E, Rau JV, Eggenhöffner R, Scicluna MT, Barbaro K. Arthroscopic Treatment of a Subchondral Bone Cyst via Stem Cells Application: A Case Study in Equine Model and Outcomes. Biomedicines 2023 Dec 14;11(12).
    doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11123307pubmed: 38137527google scholar: lookup
  4. Pérez-Nogués M, López-Sanromán J, Spirito M, Manso-Díaz G. Treatments and Prognosis for Subchondral Cystic Lesions in the Distal Extremities in Thoroughbred Prospect Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Sep 7;13(18).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13182838pubmed: 37760238google scholar: lookup
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