Effect of age at presentation on outcome following arthroscopic debridement of subchondral cystic lesions of the medial femoral condyle: 85 horses (1993–2003).
Abstract: Subchondral cystic lesions of the medial femoral condyle (SCMFC) are well documented in horses < or =3 years; arthroscopic debridement or enucleation of the cyst is currently the surgical treatment of choice. However, studies of occurence and outcome following surgery in older horses are lacking. Objective: To identify factors important in outcome for horses with SCMFC treated by arthroscopic debridement. Objective: Age of horse at presentation has a significant influence on return to work following arthroscopic treatment for SCMFC. Clinical and diagnostic findings are also significant with respect to prognosis. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from 6 equine referral centres identified 85 horses that underwent arthroscopic debridement of SCMFC. Clinical examination, radiographic and arthroscopic findings were analysed together with follow-up data. Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors affecting return to soundness. Event-time analysis was performed to evaluate return to work. Results: Older horses (>3 years) were less likely to return to soundness (P = 0.02) or to work (P = 0.04) than younger horses (< or = 3 years). Of 39 horses age 0-3 years, 25 (64%, 95% CI 49-79%) returned to soundness. Of 46 horses age >3 years, 16 (35%,95% CI 21-49%) returned to soundness. In addition, cartilage damage at sites other than the SCMFC negatively affected prognosis (P = 0.05). The hospital where treatment was performed had no influence on return to soundness. Conclusions: Older horses carry a worse prognosis for both return to soundness and return to work. Conclusions: It is important for clients to be made aware of the difference in outcome between age groups.
Publication Date: 2005-03-23 PubMed ID: 15779633DOI: 10.2746/0425164054223741Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates the impact of age on the successful recuperation of horses following arthroscopic debridement, a minimally invasive surgery for subchondral cystic lesions in the medial femoral condyle. The study reveals that older horses demonstrate lower odds of fully regaining health or returning to work post-surgery compared to their younger peers.
Objective and Methodology
- The central objective of the study was to identify deterministic factors influencing the outcomes for horses treated by arthroscopic debridement for subchondral cystic lesions in the medial femoral condyle, and specifically, to gauge the impact of a horse’s age. The researchers hypothesized that the age of the horse significantly affects its recovery and ability to resume work post surgery.
- The researchers conducted an extensive retrospective review of medical records from six distinct equine referral centres identifying a total of 85 horses that underwent the surgery for the specific condition.
- In order to determine the factors impacting the return to soundness, an univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression models were utilized. In addition, an event-time analysis was carried out for evaluating the return to work.
Results
- The results indicated that older horses, aged more than 3 years, were statistically less likely to regain soundness or return to work post surgery as opposed to younger horses, aged 3 years or less.
- Among the younger group of horses aged between 0-3 years, around 64% made a successful return to soundness. However, in the older cohort (horses aged more than 3 years), only 35% returned to soundness.
- Further, the presence of cartilage damage at sites other than the targeted lesion negatively influenced the prognosis. This reaffirmed cartilage health as a critical factor for the successful recovery of the horse.
- The study also revealed that the healthcare center where the treatment was executed had no influence on the recovery outcomes.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that older horses carried a poorer prognosis for both returning to soundness and to work.
- This crucial finding emphasizes the need for clients to be comprehensively informed about the differences in outcomes due to age variation in pre-surgical discussions.
Cite This Article
APA
Smith MA, Walmsley JP, Phillips TJ, Pinchbeck GL, Booth TM, Greet TR, Richardson DW, Ross MW, Schramme MC, Singer ER, Smith RK, Clegg PD.
(2005).
Effect of age at presentation on outcome following arthroscopic debridement of subchondral cystic lesions of the medial femoral condyle: 85 horses (1993–2003).
Equine Vet J, 37(2), 175-180.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164054223741 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / methods
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Bone Cysts / surgery
- Bone Cysts / veterinary
- Confidence Intervals
- Debridement / methods
- Debridement / veterinary
- Female
- Femur / surgery
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Incidence
- Male
- Odds Ratio
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- 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.
- 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).
- 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).
- Ząbek T, Witarski W, Szmatoła T, Sawicki S, Mrozowicz J, Samiec M. Trichostatin A-Mediated Epigenetic Modulation Predominantly Triggers Transcriptomic Alterations in the Ex Vivo Expanded Equine Chondrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022 Oct 29;23(21).
- Murata D, Ishikawa S, Sunaga T, Saito Y, Sogawa T, Nakayama K, Hobo S, Hatazoe T. Osteochondral regeneration of the femoral medial condyle by using a scaffold-free 3D construct of synovial membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells in horses. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jan 22;18(1):53.
- Kol'vek F, Krešáková L, Vdoviaková K, Medvecký Ľ, Žert Z. Modified Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis in a Yearling Filly with an Osseous Cyst-Like Lesion in the Proximal Phalanx. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 28;11(4).
- Tsuzuki N, Seo JP, Yamada K, Haneda S, Furuoka H, Tabata Y, Sasaki N. The effect of a gelatin β-tricalcium phosphate sponge loaded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), bone morphogenic protein-2, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on equine articular cartilage defect. Can Vet J 2013 Jun;54(6):573-80.
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