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Open veterinary journal2022; 12(1); 69-74; doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i1.8

First phalanx exostosis in traditional equestrian horses in Western Libya.

Abstract: Orthopedic diseases involving the forelimb fetlock joint of horses other than those used in professional racing have not been widely reported in the literature. One of these problems is the exostosis on the proximal forelimb phalanx (P1), which has not been reported previously in Western Libya. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of P1 exostosis in traditional equestrian horses (known locally as Sarj horses) of different breeds in Libya that participated in a special social event and described its clinical findings radiographic appearance. The current study involved 60 horses admitted to private veterinary clinics with varied fetlock orthopedic problems. The studied horses were aged between 6 and 11 years old and galloped on hard grounds. Clinical and radiographic examinations were carried out on all horses. Lateromedial radiographs for one or both forelimb fetlock joints were acquired for each horse. Clinical examination revealed that 21 horses (35%) had hard non-painful swelling on the dorsal aspect of fetlock with joint stiffness during flexion. In 19 of them, the swelling was bilateral. No forelimb lameness was noticed. Radiographically, hard swelling was diagnosed as bone exostosis, with various sizes, on the proximo-dorsal aspect of P1. There was also a new bone formation on the disto-dorsal part of third metacarpal bone in two cases. This study has documented the first report on bone exostosis on the proximo-dorsal aspect of the forelimb proximal phalanx as a common problem in Sarj horses that galloped on hard grounds in Western Libya. Although this bone lesion did not cause lameness in all reported cases, further investigations are warranted to identify its histopathological nature, potential etiology, and proper treatment.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-25 PubMed ID: 35342735PubMed Central: PMC8956240DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i1.8Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 paper focuses on the high prevalence of a bone condition called exostosis, specifically on the proximal phalanx (P1) or first joint of the forelimb, in traditional equestrian horses in Western Libya. Despite no reported lameness, the study calls for further examination to understand the condition’s cause, nature, and suitable treatment.

Research Aim and Methodology

  • The research aimed to uncover and record the prevalence and characteristics of P1 exostosis, a condition where bony growth occurs in unexpected places, in traditional equestrian horses in Western Libya. These horses, locally known as Sarj horses, are distinct from professional racehorses which are typically the subjects of similar studies.
  • The study was prompted as similar issues had been previously unreported in the region.
  • 60 horses, aged between 6 to 11 years, who were admitted to veterinary clinics with diverse fetlock orthopedic problems, were examined. All these horses were used to running on hard surfaces.
  • The examination procedures included a clinical exam of each horse’s physical conditions, followed by a radiographic examination (also known as X-ray examination) for detailed internal diagnosis.

Clinical and Radiographic Findings

  • Upon clinical examination, it was found that 35% of the horses had hard, non-painful swelling on the top (dorsal aspect) of their fetlock (ankle) joint, and joint stiffness during flexion. The swelling was found in both limbs in 19 out of the 21 affected horses.
  • Interestingly, none of the horses showed lameness in either of their forelimbs.
  • The radiographic examination confirmed the hard swelling as bone exostosis of varying sizes, located on the dorso-proximal aspect of the forelimb’s P1.
  • In two cases, new bone formation was observed on the disto-dorsal part of the third metacarpal bone.

Conclusions and Future Avenues

  • The study concluded by affirming the prevalence of bone exostosis on the dorsal-proximal aspect of the forelimb P1 joint in traditional equestrian horses used to hard surfaces in Western Libya, marking this as the first official documentation of the phenomenon.
  • While the current cases did not show lameness, the research highlights the need for further in-depth investigations to identify the histopathological nature of the condition, its potential etiology (causative factors), and appropriate treatment methods.

Cite This Article

APA
Abushhiwa MH, Elmeshreghi TN, Alrtib AM, Bennour EM, Oheida AH. (2022). First phalanx exostosis in traditional equestrian horses in Western Libya. Open Vet J, 12(1), 69-74. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i1.8

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2218-6050
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Pages: 69-74

Researcher Affiliations

Abushhiwa, Mohamed H
  • Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Elmeshreghi, Taher N
  • Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Alrtib, Abdulrhman M
  • Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Bennour, Emad M
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Oheida, Aiman H
  • Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Exostoses / diagnosis
  • Exostoses / epidemiology
  • Exostoses / veterinary
  • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
  • Forelimb / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Libya / epidemiology
  • Radiography

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Sawesi OK, Elbaz AK, Mahmoud AS, Duro EM, Alteab AA, Milad KK, Bennuor EM. Hematological reference values of horses in Western Libya and their relationship to breed, age, and management. Open Vet J 2023 Dec;13(12):1696-1707.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i12.18pubmed: 38292715google scholar: lookup
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