Abstract: Osteochondrosis is a developmental orthopedic disease characterized by a defect of enchondral ossification. This pathological condition develops and evolves during growth and is influenced by various factors, in particular genetic and environmental. However, little research has been conducted on the dynamic of this condition in horses after the age of 12 months. The retrospective study presented here investigates changes in osteochondrosis lesions through two standardized radiographic examinations carried out on young Walloon sport horses after one year of age (mean age at first and second examination was 407 (±41) and 680 (±117) days respectively). Each examination, analyzed independently by three veterinarians, included latero-medial views of the fetlocks, hocks, stifles, plantarolateral-dorsomedial hocks view and additional radiograph if the operator deemed it necessary. Each joint site was graded as healthy, osteochondrosis (OC) or osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) affected. A group of 58 horses was studied, among them 20 presented one or more osteochondrosis lesions for a total of 36 lesions present during at least one examination. In this population, 4 animals (6.9%) presented osteochondrosis during only one examination (2 at the first examination and 2 at the second one). Moreover, it was possible to demonstrate the appearance, disappearance and more generally the evolution of 9/36 lesions (25%) within the different joints. The results of the study suggest that, although substantial main limitations, osteochondrosis lesions can evolve after the age of 12 months in sport horses. Knowing this is useful in helping to decide the appropriate radiographic diagnosis timing and management.
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The research article presents a study on how osteochondrosis lesions evolve in sport horses aged between 12 to 36 months. These lesions were evaluated by two standardized radiographic examinations.
Introduction and Background
Osteochondrosis is a developmental orthopedic disease in horses, which is characterized by a defect in enchondral ossification, the process where cartilage turns into bone during growth.
The development and progression of this condition is influenced by many factors, notably genetic and environmental elements.
There is limited research on the progression of osteochondrosis in horses after they reach 12 months of age. This study intends to fill that gap.
Methodology
The study follows a group of 58 young Walloon sport horses past their first year, with two standardized radiographic examinations carried out at an average age of 407 and 680 days respectively.
These examinations consisted of specific views of various joints and were independently assessed by three veterinarians.
Each joint site was categorised as healthy, affected by osteochondrosis (OC), or affected by osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), a more severe form of the disease where a piece of cartilage and underlying bone detached from the joint surface.
Additional radiographs were taken when deemed necessary by the operator.
Results and Findings
Out of the 58 horses studied, 20 presented at least one osteochondrosis lesion, accounting for a total of 36 lesions during at least one examination.
Only four animals, or 6.9% of the study population, showed evidence of osteochondrosis in just one of the examinations.
Furthermore, the study observed and documented the appearance, disappearance, and evolution of 9 of the 36 lesions (or 25%) within the different joints over time.
Conclusion
The study concluded that, despite some significant limitations, osteochondrosis lesions can change and progress after the horse is 12 months old.
This information is crucial for determining the best times for radiographic diagnosis and subsequent treatment management in sport horses affected by this condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Van Cauter R, Serteyn D, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Caudron I.
(2023).
Evaluation of the appearance of osteochondrosis lesions by two radiographic examinations in sport horses aged from 12 to 36 months.
PLoS One, 18(5), e0286213.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286213
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