Development of subchondral cystic lesions after articular cartilage and subchondral bone damage in young horses.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine if damage to the articular cartilage alone or articular cartilage plus subchondral bone of the distal medial femoral condyle of young, exercised horses resulted in the formation of subchondral cystic lesions. Twelve Quarter Horses (age 1-2 years), free of clinical and radiographic signs of osteochondrosis and lameness were used. In 6 horses (Group 1), a 15 times 1 mm linear full thickness defect in the articular cartilage was made arthroscopically on the weightbearing surface of the distal aspect of the medial femoral condyle. In the other 6 horses (Group 2), a 15 times 3 mm full thickness elliptical cartilage defect was made, followed by burring a 5 mm diameter, 4 mm deep hole into the subchondral bone. Three weeks after surgery, all horses were hand walked and trotted for 2 weeks and then exercised for 6 min daily, 5 days a week for the next 14 weeks on a treadmill. They were then turned onto a small paddock for 6 weeks (6 months total). The development of subchondral cystic lesions was determined using radiography. Bone activity in the femoral condyle was monitored with nuclear scintigraphy. All horses that developed subchondral cystic lesions radiographically were subjected to euthanasia for gross and histological examination of the lesions. No subchondral cystic lesions and no clinical abnormalities were detected in the horses in Group 1. Subchondral cystic lesions developed radiographically in 5 of 6 horses in (Group 2). Scintigraphic findings of horses with subchondral cystic lesions were inconsistent. Histological examination of lesions revealed variable quantities of fibrous connective tissue, fibrocartilage and bone, with evidence of bone remodelling adjacent to the subchondral cystic lesion. The results suggest that damage to articular cartilage plus subchondral bone, but not articular cartilage alone, of the distal medial femoral condyle may lead to the development of subchondral cystic lesions. These findings indicate that all subchondral cystic lesions in horses may not be osteochondrosis-type lesions and that trauma to weightbearing articular surfaces of young horses may be a predisposing factor.
© 1996 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 1996-05-01 PubMed ID: 28976711DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb03777.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article studied the development of subchondral cystic lesions in horses following damage to the articular cartilage plus subchondral bone or just to the articular cartilage. The study revealed that subchondral cystic lesions developed when both the articular cartilage and subchondral bone were damaged, but not when only the articular cartilage was harmed.
Study Design and Process
- The study used twelve Quarter Horses aged 1-2 years that were free from clinical and radiographic signs of osteochondrosis and lameness.
- These horses were divided into two groups. In the first group, a linear full thickness defect was made on the cartilage on the weightbearing surface, while in the second group, both the cartilage and subchondral bone were damaged.
- The horses were exercised post-surgery and their bone activity was monitored using nuclear scintigraphy.
- The researchers used radiography to check for the development of cystic lesions.
- If a horse developed cystic lesions, it was euthanized and subjected to gross and histological examination.
Results and Findings
- In Group 1, where only the articular cartilage was damaged, no subchondral cystic lesions or clinical abnormalities were detected in the horses.
- In Group 2, where both the cartilage and subchondral bone were damaged, subchondral cystic lesions developed in 5 out of 6 horses.
- Scintigraphic findings were inconsistent in horses that developed lesions.
- Upon examination, the researchers found variable quantities of fibrous connective tissue, fibrocartilage and bone with evidence of bone remodelling adjacent to the subchondral cystic lesion.
Conclusion
The results suggested that subchondral cystic lesions develop when both cartilage and subchondral bone are damaged. It indicates that not all these lesions in horses are osteochondrosis-type lesions and that trauma to weightbearing surfaces of young horses can be a predisposing factor. This suggests a need for further investigation into the pathology of subchondral cystic lesions to better manage and prevent these conditions in young horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Ray CS, Baxter GM, McILWRAITH CW, Trotter GW, Powers BE, Park RD, Steyn PF.
(1996).
Development of subchondral cystic lesions after articular cartilage and subchondral bone damage in young horses.
Equine Vet J, 28(3), 225-232.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb03777.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.Radiology and Radiation Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.Radiology and Radiation Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.Radiology and Radiation Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.Radiology and Radiation Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.Radiology and Radiation Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.Radiology and Radiation Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.Radiology and Radiation Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Gao L, Cucchiarini M, Madry H. Cyst formation in the subchondral bone following cartilage repair.. Clin Transl Med 2020 Dec;10(8):e248.
- Green CJ, Beck A, Wood D, Zheng MH. The biology and clinical evidence of microfracture in hip preservation surgery.. J Hip Preserv Surg 2016 Jul;3(2):108-23.
- McIlwraith CW, Fortier LA, Frisbie DD, Nixon AJ. Equine Models of Articular Cartilage Repair.. Cartilage 2011 Oct;2(4):317-26.
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