Dorsoproximal proximal phalanx osteochondral fragmentation in 117 Warmblood horses.
Abstract: The objective of the present study was to determine clinical and arthroscopic characteristics associated with dorsoproximal proximal phalanx (P1) fragments in Warmblood horses, as well as to examine their histopathological appearance. One hundred sixty-eight fragments were removed from 150 fetlocks of 117 Warmblood horses. Details of signalment and results of clinical examination were collected prior to surgery. After arthroscopic fragment removal and joint evaluation for synovial and/or cartilage abnormalities, the fragments were measured and evaluated histopathologically. The vast majority of the fragments (95.2%) were found medially, without predilection for front or hind limbs. In 10% of the joints, more than one fragment was present. The mean size of the fragments was 6.8 +/- 2.6 mm. Only eight horses presented fetlock-related lameness. Horses of seven years of age and older (OR = 13.32; p = 0.033) and the presence of more than one fragment (OR = 11.12; p = 0.016) were significantly associated with lameness. Arthroscopic evaluation revealed one or more abnormalities in 50.7% of the joints. On histopathology, osteochondral fragments presented as a bony center covered with smooth hyaline cartilage on one side and some fibrous tissue on the other side. No clear histopathological signs were indicating precisely their origin. In Warmblood horses with dorsoproximal P1 fragments, the age (seven years and older) and the presence of more than one fragment in a fetlock significantly increased the risk of lameness. The osteochondral dorsoproximal P1 fragments could be defined as a developmental orthopaedic disease.
Publication Date: 2009-01-20 PubMed ID: 19151863DOI: 10.3415/vcot-08-02-0016Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the link between the occurrence of bone and cartilage fragments in the foot joints of Warmblood horses and the presentation of lameness. The study finds that older horses and horses with multiple fragments in a joint show significantly higher risk of lameness.
Study Method and Participants
- The study focused on 168 fragments that were surgically removed from the feet joints (fetlocks) of 117 Warmblood horses.
- Before surgery, information about the horse’s physical condition and results of clinical examination were collected. Horses aged seven years and older were particularly noted.
Surgical Observations
- After arthroscopic removal, the fragments were measured, evaluated, and their presence in the joint was assessed to look for any abnormalities in the synovial fluid or cartilage in the joint.
- It was observed that most of the fragments (95.2%) were found on the medial side of the joint with no preference for front or back limbs. The average size of the fragments was noted as 6.8 mm.
- Multiple fragments were present in the joint of 10% of the horses.
- Surprisingly, only eight horses showed signs of lameness related to the fetlock.
Associations with Lameness
- Statistical analysis showed that horses seven years or older and those with more than one fragment in the joint had a significantly increased risk for presenting lameness.
- Half of the joints (50.7%) showed one or more abnormalities upon arthroscopic evaluation.
Fragment Evaluation Findings
- Upon histopathological examination, the fragments were found to have a bone centre with smooth cartilage on one side and fibrous tissue on the other.
- However, there were no clear signs in the fragments that could indicate their exact origin.
Conclusions
- Conclusively, in Warmblood horses, increased age (seven years and older) and the presence of multiple fragments in a fetlock significantly increased the risk of lameness.
- The nature of the fragments suggests that they may be a result of a developmental orthopaedic disease in these horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Declercq J, Martens A, Maes D, Boussauw B, Forsyth R, Boening KJ.
(2009).
Dorsoproximal proximal phalanx osteochondral fragmentation in 117 Warmblood horses.
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 22(1), 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.3415/vcot-08-02-0016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia of Domestic Animals, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. jeroen.declercq@UGent.be
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / methods
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Cartilage, Articular / injuries
- Cartilage, Articular / pathology
- Cartilage, Articular / surgery
- Female
- Fractures, Bone / diagnosis
- Fractures, Bone / pathology
- Fractures, Bone / surgery
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Fractures, Stress / diagnosis
- Fractures, Stress / pathology
- Fractures, Stress / surgery
- Fractures, Stress / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses / injuries
- Horses / surgery
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Joints / injuries
- Joints / pathology
- Joints / surgery
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Male
- Risk Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Van Cauter R, Serteyn D, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Caudron I. Evaluation of the appearance of osteochondrosis lesions by two radiographic examinations in sport horses aged from 12 to 36 months. PLoS One 2023;18(5):e0286213.
- 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.
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