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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Mosaic arthroplasty in equine stifle and fetlock joints: A r...
Veterinary surgery : VS2025; doi: 10.1111/vsu.14296

Mosaic arthroplasty in equine stifle and fetlock joints: A retrospective study of 31 cases between 1998 and 2023.

Abstract: To evaluate the clinical application of equine mosaic arthroplasty for joint surface repair, including outcomes and complications. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: A total of 31 horses diagnosed with subchondral bone cysts (SBCs) in the femoral condyle (22/31), distal metacarpus (7/31), or metatarsus (2/31). Methods: Medical records of horses that underwent autologous or allogeneic osteochondral graft transplantation were reviewed. Follow-up lasted at least 12 months. Success was determined in terms of improvements in lameness and post-surgical athletic performance, classified as successful, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. Results: In total, 68% (21/31) of horses regained soundness and resumed athletic performance at the same or higher level than before surgery. Furthermore, 22% (7/31) and 10% (3/31) exhibited satisfactory and unsatisfactory results, respectively. Seven horses underwent follow-up arthroscopy to treat complications or residual lameness. Among horses with femoral condyle SBCs, 68% (15/22) achieved successful outcomes, compared with 67% (6/9) of those with fetlock SBCs. Age (≤3 vs. >3 years) did not appear to influence outcomes in stifle cases. Horses receiving fewer implanted grafts showed a tendency toward better recovery. Conclusions: Mosaic arthroplasty improved lameness in 90% of this mixed-age equine population, with 68% regaining soundness and successfully returning to athletic performance. Unlike other techniques reporting success primarily in 2- and 3-year-old horses, this method could provide an effective surgical alternative for both young and mature horses with SBCs. Conclusions: Mosaic arthroplasty may serve as a viable surgical option for managing SBCs.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-27 PubMed ID: 40576056DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14296Google 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.

This research paper evaluated the effectiveness and potential complications of equine mosaic arthroplasty, a surgical procedure, in treating horses with joint surface issues. The study involved 31 horses and concluded that 90% showed improved lameness, and 68% regained soundness and returned to athletic performance.

Methodology

  • The paper is based on a retrospective clinical study involving 31 horses which were diagnosed with subchondral bone cysts (SBCs). These cysts were located in the femoral condyle (22 out of 31 cases), distal metacarpus (7 cases), or metatarsus (2 cases).
  • The horses underwent either autologous or allogeneic osteochondral graft transplantation, which are variations of the mosaic arthroplasty procedure. Autologous transplants involve using tissue from the same individual, while allogeneic transplants are sourced from a different individual of the same species.
  • The study used improvements in lameness and post-surgical athletic performance to determine success, classifying outcomes as successful, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory.
  • A follow-up of at least 12 months was conducted post-surgery to assess the outcomes.

Results

  • Overall, the study found that mosaic arthroplasty was successful in improving lameness in 90% of the mixed-age equine population under study.
  • More specifically, 68% of the horses regained soundness and resumed athletic performance at the same or a higher level than before surgery, indicating successful outcomes.
  • Furthermore, 7 out of 31 horses (22%) exhibited satisfactory results, and 3 out of 31 horses (10%) showed unsatisfactory results.
  • Among the horses with SBCs in the femoral condyle, 68% achieved successful outcomes, which was comparable to the 67% success rate in horses with fetlock SBCs.
  • Follow-up arthroscopy was performed on seven horses to treat complications or residual lameness after the initial surgery.
  • There seemed to be a trend where horses that received fewer implanted grafts trended towards better recovery.

Conclusions

  • The authors concluded that mosaic arthroplasty could be a useful surgical alternative for treating SBCs in both young and mature horses, as it improved lameness in 90% of the cases, with 68% of the horses regaining soundness and returning to their athletic performance.
  • No significant influence on the outcomes was found for the stifle cases in horses aged 3 years or less compared to those older. This is noteworthy as the literature often reports better results in 2- and 3-year-old horses for other surgical techniques.
  • The study suggests that mosaic arthroplasty may serve as a reliable and viable surgical method for managing SBCs in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Pál Z, Tuska P, Vásárhelyi G, Hangody L, Hurtig M, Kaposi AD, Bodó G. (2025). Mosaic arthroplasty in equine stifle and fetlock joints: A retrospective study of 31 cases between 1998 and 2023. Vet Surg. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14296

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Pál, Zsófia
  • Department and Clinic of Equine Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
Tuska, Pál
  • Department and Clinic of Equine Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
Vásárhelyi, Gábor
  • Uzsoki Hospital, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Hangody, László
  • Uzsoki Hospital, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Hurtig, Mark
  • Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Kaposi, András D
  • Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Bodó, Gábor
  • Department and Clinic of Equine Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.

Grant Funding

  • 2019-1.2.1-EGYETEMI-u00d6KO-2019-00010 / National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary provided by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, University Innovation Ecosystem programme

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