Management of Subchondral Lucencies of the Medial Aspect of the Equine Antebrachiocarpal Joint.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to describe the management and outcomes of eight horses with subchondral lucencies (SCLs) of the medial aspect of the antebrachiocarpal (ABC) joint. The medical records and radiographs of the carpi of 8 horses with SCLs of the medial aspect of the ABC joint were reviewed. Follow-up clinical information was obtained for 6-60 months (the median duration of 14 months). Treatment was successful if radiographic healing was apparent or lameness was reduced or eliminated. Four horses had SCLs in the distomedial radius (DMR) and four in the proximal aspect of the radiocarpal bone (RCB). Lameness was present in all horses with DMR SCLs and in one horse with an RCB SCL. Treatments included restriction of exercise (n = 3), intra-articular administration of corticosteroids (n = 2), or placement of a screw across the SCL (n = 3). Exercise restriction alone was successful in three nonlame horses younger than one year with proximal RCB SCL and intra-articular corticosteroid administration in the ABC joint in two horses aged 2 years or younger with DMR SCLs. A yearling with a large proximal RCB SCL and two horses aged 5 years or older with DMR SCLs were successfully treated with screw placement across the SCL. Exercise restrictions and intra-articular administration of corticosteroids were successful in management of DMR SCLs in five horses. Placing a screw across the SCL of three horses resulted in resolution of lameness and substantial improvement of the radiographic appearance of the lesion in the RCB or DMR.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-09-17 PubMed ID: 33077089DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103266Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the management strategies and outcomes for eight horses dealing with subchondral lucencies, and finds that exercise restrictions, corticosteroid administration, and screw placement are successful treatments in specific cases.
Background
- Subchondral lucencies (SCLs) are areas of decreased bone density usually detected in radiographic imaging.
- The antebrachiocarpal (ABC) joint, effectively the carpal (wrist) joint in a human, is crucial for locomotion in horses.
- The study examined the medical records and radiographs of eight horses with SCLs in the medial aspect of the ABC joint.
Methods
- Clinical follow-ups ranged from 6 to 60 months, with a median of 14 months.
- A successful treatment outcome was defined as visible radiographic healing or a clear decrease or elimination of lameness.
- The study categorized the horses into two groups based on the location of SCL: distomedial radius (DMR) with all four horses displaying lameness, and the proximal aspect of the radiocarpal bone (RCB) with just one horse showing lameness.
Treatments
- The treatments used were exercise restriction, intra-articular (within the joint) administration of corticosteroids, and placement of a screw across the SCL.
- Exercise restriction alone was successful for three non-lame horses under one year old with SCL on the proximal RCB.
- Intra-articular corticosteroid administration in the ABC joint was successful for two horses aged 2 years or younger with DMR SCLs.
- A yearling with a large proximal RCB SCL and two horses aged 5 years or older with DMR SCLs were successfully treated with screw placement across the SCL.
Results
- Exercise restrictions and corticosteroid injections effectively managed DMR SCLs in five horses.
- Screw placement improved lameness and significantly enhanced the radiographic appearance of the lesion in the RCB or DMR areas for three horses.
- The study thus demonstrates the efficacy of different treatments based on the horse’s age, lameness and the location of the SCL.
Cite This Article
APA
Santschi EM, Juzwiak JS, Honnas C, Walker WT, Hunter B, Whitman JL, Prichard MA, Morehead JP.
(2020).
Management of Subchondral Lucencies of the Medial Aspect of the Equine Antebrachiocarpal Joint.
J Equine Vet Sci, 94, 103266.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103266 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. Electronic address: santschi@vet.k-state.edu.
- Manor Equine Hospital, Monkton, MD.
- Texas Equine Hospital, Bryan, TX.
- Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center, Cave Creek, AZ.
- Matamata Veterinary Services, Matamata, New Zealand.
- Equine Medical Associates, 996 Nandino Blvd, Lexington, KY, 40583.
- Equine Medical Associates, 996 Nandino Blvd, Lexington, KY, 40583.
- Equine Medical Associates, 996 Nandino Blvd, Lexington, KY, 40583.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Screws
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Radius
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
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