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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2013; 197(1); 58-64; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.03.042

Evolution of radiological findings detected in the limbs of 321 young horses between the ages of 6 and 18 months.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the spontaneous evolution of radiological findings (RF) indicative of juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC) in a field study. A radiographic survey was performed at the age of 6 and 18months in 321 young horses from three breeds (French Trotter Standardbred, Selle-Français Warmblood and Thoroughbred). Each RF identified at 6months was re-evaluated at 18months, and classified as (1) disappeared, (2) improved, (3) stable, (4) deteriorated or (5) new when it was not identified at 6months. Only 32.3% of all RF identified at the age of 6months were stable, while at 18months 46.6% had disappeared and 38.7% were new radiological abnormalities. Evolution of RF varied according to the joint involved and the type of lesion. In the stifle, 85.7% of the RF of osteochondral fragmentation (OCF) of the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea regressed (disappeared or improved). In the hock, 53.1% of the RF of OCD of the intermediate ridge of the tibial cochlea were stable. In the fetlock, dorsal and plantar OCF were frequently observed as new radiological abnormalities at 18months (51% of the dorsal RF and 45.8% of the plantar). As many lesions develop or change after 6months, a definitive radiographic assessment of the JOCC status is more reliable at 18months. Knowing the spontaneous healing capacity of some lesions is useful in helping to decide the appropriate management.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-05-06 PubMed ID: 23660154DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.03.042Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research article outlines a study on the progression of juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC), detectable by radiological findings (RF), in young horses aged between 6 and 18 months. It shows that a considerable portion of the radiological abnormalities can change, illustrating the need for extended observation periods for accurate assessments of these conditions.

Methodology and Horse Breed Selection

  • The study included 321 young horses from three different breeds – French Trotter Standardbred, Selle-Français Warmblood, and Thoroughbred.
  • A radiographic survey was done twice, once when the horses were 6 months old and then again at 18 months.
  • The radiological findings (RF) identified at the 6-month mark were evaluated at the 18-month mark and classified into one of five categories: disappeared, improved, stable, deteriorated or new (in cases where it was not observed at 6 months).

Results and Observations

  • Only 32.3% of all RF identified at 6 months remained stable, while 46.6% had disappeared by the time the horses were 18 months old. New radiological abnormalities were identified in 38.7% of the cases.
  • The progression of RF varied depending on the joint involved and the specific type of lesion.
  • In the stifle joint, 85.7% of radiological findings of osteochondral fragmentation in the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea regressed (either disappeared or improved).
  • In the hock joint, radiological findings of osteochondritis dissecans in the intermediate ridge of the tibial cochlea remained stable in 53.1% of cases.
  • In the fetlock joint, both the dorsal and plantar osteochondral fragmentations were often observed as new radiological abnormalities at 18 months, comprising 51% of the dorsal RF and 45.8% of the plantar.

Conclusions and Implications

  • With a large number of lesions developing or changing after 6 months, the results of this research underscore the importance of an extended observation period for definitive radiographic assessments of juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC).
  • The results also highlight substantial spontaneous healing in some lesions, knowledge which could inform appropriate management decisions.

Cite This Article

APA
Jacquet S, Robert C, Valette JP, Denoix JM. (2013). Evolution of radiological findings detected in the limbs of 321 young horses between the ages of 6 and 18 months. Vet J, 197(1), 58-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.03.042

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 197
Issue: 1
Pages: 58-64

Researcher Affiliations

Jacquet, S
  • Université Paris Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, CIRALE, 14430 Goustranville, France. sjacquet@vet-alfort.fr
Robert, C
    Valette, J-P
      Denoix, J-M

        MeSH Terms

        • Aging
        • Animals
        • Female
        • Forelimb / pathology
        • Hindlimb / pathology
        • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
        • Horses
        • Joint Diseases / diagnostic imaging
        • Joint Diseases / pathology
        • Joint Diseases / veterinary
        • Male
        • Radiography
        • Time Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 10 times.
        1. Bertuglia A, Pallante M, Pagliara E, Valle D, Bergamini L, Bollo E, Bullone M, Riccio B. Determinants of joint effusion in tarsocrural osteochondrosis of yearling Standardbred horses. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1389798.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1389798pubmed: 39113724google scholar: lookup
        2. 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.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286213pubmed: 37220101google scholar: lookup
        3. Hallman I, Karikoski N, Kareskoski M. The effects of obesity and insulin dysregulation on mare reproduction, pregnancy, and foal health: a review. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1180622.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1180622pubmed: 37152686google scholar: lookup
        4. Faulkner J, Vanderperren K, Duchateau L, O'Sullivan C. Radiographic prevalence of juvenile osteochondral conditions of the proximal interphalangeal joint of Australian Thoroughbred racehorse yearlings and associations with sales results and race performance. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:988826.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.988826pubmed: 36299626google scholar: lookup
        5. 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).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11040948pubmed: 33800624google scholar: lookup
        6. 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.
          doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02514pubmed: 31687602google scholar: lookup
        7. Fradinho MJ, Mateus L, Bernardes N, Bessa RJB, Caldeira RM, Ferreira-Dias G. Growth patterns, metabolic indicators and osteoarticular status in the Lusitano horse: A longitudinal study. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219900.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219900pubmed: 31314780google scholar: lookup
        8. Gorissen BMC, Wolschrijn CF, Serra Bragança FM, Geerts AAJ, Leenders WOJL, Back W, van Weeren PR. The development of locomotor kinetics in the foal and the effect of osteochondrosis. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):467-474.
          doi: 10.1111/evj.12649pubmed: 27859501google scholar: lookup
        9. Mendoza L, Piquemal D, Lejeune JP, Vander Heyden L, Noguier F, Bruno R, Sandersen C, Serteyn D. Age-dependent expression of osteochondrosis-related genes in equine leukocytes. Vet Rec Open 2015;2(1):e000058.
          doi: 10.1136/vetreco-2014-000058pubmed: 26392886google scholar: lookup
        10. McCoy AM, Ralston SL, McCue ME. Short- and long-term racing performance of Standardbred pacers and trotters after early surgical intervention for tarsal osteochondrosis. Equine Vet J 2015 Jul;47(4):438-44.
          doi: 10.1111/evj.12297pubmed: 24819047google scholar: lookup
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