FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joint in 24 horses: Evalua...
Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14053

Osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joint in 24 horses: Evaluation of radiography, ultrasonography, intra-articular anaesthesia, treatment and outcome.

Abstract: Few case reports describe equine coxofemoral joint osteoarthritis (CFJOA). Objective: To evaluate diagnostic findings and outcome of horses with CFJOA and to provide a score facilitating radiographic assessment. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: History, clinical signs, ultrasonographic, radiographic and intra-articular anaesthesia findings, treatments, outcome, and necropsy results of horses with CFJOA presented between 2002 and 2023 were collated. Radiographic findings were categorised to develop a radiographic score which was applied by two masked examiners. Intra- and inter-observer reliability was determined using weighted Cohen's kappa (Cκ) and the correlation between radiographic and ultrasound findings via Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The study included 24 horses (median age 14 years). Most of them (20/24) were chronically lame. Frequent clinical signs included unilateral gluteal muscle atrophy (18/21), lengthening of the stride of the affected limb (13/19) and locomotion on three tracks (13/20). Both imaging modalities enabled evaluation of periarticular osteophytes (correlation coefficient r = 0.64; p = 0.003). Additionally, radiography allowed detection of irregular joint spaces, subchondral bone opacity changes and femoral head flattening/tapering. Inter-observer (Cκ = 0.846) and intra-observer (Cκ = 0.853 and Cκ = 0.842) agreement was excellent. If treated, mostly intra-articular corticosteroids were administered (16/18). Nine horses were euthanised immediately or during follow-up examination. Post-mortem, the Ligamentum capitis ossis femoris was commonly found ruptured. All surviving horses remained lame. Conclusions: Retrospective analysis of clinical records and subjective outcome assessment based on owner follow-up with potential recall bias. Due to overall disease severity, associations between different grades of clinical findings, radiographic abnormalities and outcome could not be evaluated. Conclusions: Typical clinical signs may indicate CFJOA. Standardised evaluation of ventrodorsal radiographs allows a comprehensive diagnosis. Postmortem findings suggest joint instability as a possible causative factor that may contribute to the poor prognosis and resistance to medical therapy of the disorder.
© 2024 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2024-01-07 PubMed ID: 38185515DOI: 10.1111/evj.14053Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 article studies the diagnostic findings and outcomes of horses with coxofemoral joint osteoarthritis (CFJOA). The researchers developed a radiographic score to enable systematic evaluation of the disease and noted the treatments and ultimate outcomes of the horses involved in the study, concluding that CFJOA indicates poor prognosis and an apparent resistance to medical therapy.

Methodology and Criteria

  • The research was developed as a retrospective case series, taking into account horses diagnosed with CFJOA between the years 2002 and 2023.
  • Information collated included historical data, clinical signs observed, findings from ultrasonography and radiography, results from intra-articular anaesthesia, treatment administered, the outcome of the disease, and necropsy results, if available.
  • The researchers designed a radiographic score to categorise the radiographic findings, which was then applied by two independent examiners. This categorisation aimed to provide a systematic approach to assess the severity and progression of CFJOA.
  • Reliability between the two examiners (inter-observer reliability) and consistency by the same examiner (intra-observer reliability) were also evaluated using weighted Cohen’s kappa (Cκ), a statistical measure of reliability for categorical items.

Results of the Study

  • The study involved 24 horses, most of whom displayed chronic lameness. Common signs included unilateral gluteal muscle atrophy, lengthening of the stride of the affected limb, and locomotion on three tracks.
  • Both ultrasound and radiography were able to evaluate periarticular osteophytes, with a significant correlation coefficient of r = 0.64.
  • Radiography further allowed for the detection of irregular joint spaces, changes in subchondral bone opacity, and femoral head flattening or tapering.
  • The inter- and intra-observer agreements, as measured by Cκ, were excellent, suggesting strong consistency and reliability in the evaluation of the radiographic findings.
  • Most of the treated horses (16 out of 18) received intra-articular corticosteroids as a form of therapy. However, nine horses were euthanised either immediately or during follow-up examination, indicating that the disease had severe consequences.
  • In terms of necropsy, a common finding was the rupture of the Ligamentum capitis ossis femoris.

Conclusions

  • Despite the study being based on a retrospective analysis, which could be subject to recall bias from horse owners, the research indicated common clinical signs that may suggest CFJOA, including lameness, muscle atrophy, and altered locomotion.
  • Standardised analysis of ventrodorsal radiographs offers a detailed diagnosis of CFJOA.
  • Necropsy results suggest that joint instability could be a contributing factor to CFJOA, which might explain the poor prognosis and resistance to therapy seen in the affected horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Sauer FJ, Hellige M, Beineke A, Geburek F. (2024). Osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joint in 24 horses: Evaluation of radiography, ultrasonography, intra-articular anaesthesia, treatment and outcome. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14053

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Sauer, Fay J
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
Hellige, Maren
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
Beineke, Andreas
  • Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
Geburek, Florian
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.

References

This article includes 48 references
  1. Trent AM, Krook L. Bilateral degenerative coxofemoral joint disease in a foal.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1985;186(3):284-287.
  2. Jeong H. Bilateral osteoarthritis of coxofemoral joint in a thoroughbred horse.. J Vet Clin 2018;35(5):247-249.
    doi: 10.17555/jvc.2018.10.35.5.247google scholar: lookup
  3. Paulussen E, Versnaeyen H, Deneut K, Chiers K, van Loon G. Sidewinder syndrome associated with partial rupture of the ligamentum capitis ossis femoris.. Vet Rec Case Rep 2018;6(1):e000505.
    doi: 10.1136/vetreccr-2017-000505google scholar: lookup
  4. Lamb CR, Morris EA. Coxofemoral arthrosis in an aged mare.. Equine Vet J 1987;19(4):350-352.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb01432.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  5. Aleman M, Berryhill E, Woolard K, Easton-Jones C, Kozikowski-Nicholas T, Dyson S. Sidewinder gait in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2020;34(5):2122-2131.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15870google scholar: lookup
  6. Hermans H, Veraa S, Ploeg M, Boerma S, Hazewinkel HAW, Back W. Osteochondral dysplasia of the coxofemoral joints in a Friesian foal: clinical findings and methods of diagnosis.. Equine Vet Educ 2016;28(9):486-491.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12210google scholar: lookup
  7. Haakenstad LH. Undersokelser over den patologiske hoftenleddsluksasjon hos hest med hendsyn til lidelsen vesen og etiologiske forbold.. Nord. Vet Med 1953;5:884-896.
  8. Speirs VC, Wrigley R. A case of bilateral hip dysplasia in a foal.. Equine Vet J 1979;11(3):202-204.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1979.tb01344.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  9. Jogi P, Norbery I. Malformation of the hip-joint in a standardbred horse.. Vet Rec 1962;74:421-422.
  10. Nixon AJ, Adams RM, Teigland MB. Subchondral cystic lesions (osteochondrosis) of the femoral heads in a horse.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1988;192(3):360-362.
  11. Huggons N, Andrea R, Grant B, Duncan C. Total hip arthroplasty in the horse: overview, technical considerations and case report.. Equine Vet Educ 2010;22(11):547-553.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3292.2010.00118.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  12. Brenner S, Whitcomb MB. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of coxofemoral subluxation in horses.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2009;50(4):423-428.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01560.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  13. David F, Rougier M, Alexander K, Morisset S. Ultrasound-guided coxofemoral arthrocentesis in horses.. Equine Vet J 2007;39(1):79-83.
    doi: 10.2746/042516407x153093google scholar: lookup
  14. Lewis R. Techniques for arthrocentesis of equine shoulder, elbow, stifle, and hip joints.. Proc Am Assoc Equine Practnrs 1996;42:55-63.
  15. Whitcomb MB, Vaughan B, Katzman S, Hersman J. Ultrasound-guided injections in horses with cranioventral distension of the coxofemoral joint capsule: feasibility for a cranioventral approach.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2016;57(2):199-206.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12323google scholar: lookup
  16. Geburek F, Rötting AK, Stadler PM. Comparison of the diagnostic value of ultrasonography and standing radiography for pelvic-femoral disorders in horses.. Vet Surg 2009;38(3):310-317.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2009.00508.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  17. Rottensteiner U, Palm F, Kofler J. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the coxofemoral joint region in young foals.. Vet J 2012;191(2):193-198.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.02.012google scholar: lookup
  18. Whitcomb MB, Vaughan B. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the coxofemoral joint.. Proc Am Assoc Equine Practnrs 2015;61:346-354.
  19. May SA, Patterson LJ, Peacock PJ, Edwards GB. Radiographic technique for the pelvis in the standing horse.. Equine Vet J 1991;23(4):312-314.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb03725.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  20. Amitrano FN, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Joslyn SK. Radiographic diagnosis of craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in standing equids.. Equine Vet Educ 2014;26(5):255-258.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12156google scholar: lookup
  21. Davenport-Goodall CLM, Ross MW. Scintigraphic abnormalities of the pelvic region in horses examined because of lameness or poor performance: 128 cases (1993-2000).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2004;224(1):88-95.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.2004.224.88google scholar: lookup
  22. Nixon AJ, Ducharme NG. Luxation and subluxation of the coxofemoral joint.. Equine Fracture Repair 2019;p. 706-722.
    doi: 10.1002/9781119108757.ch38google scholar: lookup
  23. Bassage LH, Ross MW. Diagnostic analgesia.. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse 2010;p. 100-135.
    doi: 10.1016/b978-1-4160-6069-7.00010-9google scholar: lookup
  24. Pfeiffer W, Westhues M. Operationskursus Für Tierärzte Und Studierende.. 1940.
  25. Baxter GM, Stashak TS, Keegan KG. Examination for lameness.. Adams and Stashak's lameness in horses 2020;p. 67-188.
    doi: 10.1002/9781119276715.ch2google scholar: lookup
  26. Geburek F, Wagels R, Markus R, Kampmann C, Peters M, Stadler P. Ultrasonographische Panoramabilddarstellung als Ergänzung der klinischen und röntgenologischen Diagnostik von Frakturen im Bereich des Beckens bei Pferden.. Pferdeheilkunde 2005;21(6):517-524.
    doi: 10.21836/pem20050601google scholar: lookup
  27. Markus R, Gruber AD, Döpke C, Stadler P. Hochgradige, chronische eitrige Koxarthritis und eitrig-lytische Osteomyelitis als seltene Lahmheitsursache bei einem adulten Pferd.. Tierarztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Grosstiere-Nutztiere 2005;33(6):431-442.
    doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1624091google scholar: lookup
  28. Jeffcott LB. Radiographic examination of the equine vertebral column.. Vet Radiol 1979;20(3-6):135-139.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.1979.tb01191.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  29. Little C, Hilbert B. Pelvic fractures in horses: 19 cases (1974-1984).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1987;190(9):1203-1206.
  30. Nagel E. Transrektale bzw. vaginale Röntgenuntersuchung des Hüftgelenks bei Pferd und Rind.. Internationale Tagung Über Orthopädie Bei Huf- Und Klauentieren 1984:343-346.
  31. May SA, Harrison LJ. Radiography of the hip and pelvis.. Equine Vet Educ 1994;6(3):152-158.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3292.1994.tb01121.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  32. Barrett EL, Talbot AM, Driver AJ, Barr FJ, Barr ARS. A technique for pelvic radiography in the standing horse.. Equine Vet J 2006;38(3):266-270.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406776866435google scholar: lookup
  33. Butler J, Colles C, Dyson S, Kold S, Poulos P. The pelvis and femur.. Clinical radiology of the horse 2017;p. 609-638.
  34. Dieppe PA. Recommended methodology for assessing the progression of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joints.. Osteoarthr Cartil 1995;3(2):73-77.
    doi: 10.1016/s1063-4584(05)80040-8google scholar: lookup
  35. Alves JC, Santos A, Jorge P, Lavrador C, Miguel CL. Comparison of clinical and radiographic signs of hip osteoarthritis in contralateral hip joints of fifty working dogs.. PLoS One 2021;16(3):e0248767.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248767google scholar: lookup
  36. Szabo SD, Biery DN, Lawler DF, Shofer FS, Powers MY, Kealy RD. Evaluation of a circumferential femoral head osteophyte as an early indicator of osteoarthritis.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2007;231(6):889-892.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.231.6.889google scholar: lookup
  37. Kellgren JH, Lawrence JS. Radiological assessment of osteo-arthrosis.. Ann Rheum Dis 1957;16(4):494-502.
    doi: 10.1136/ard.16.4.494google scholar: lookup
  38. Fuller C. Measures of osteoarthritis in the horse.. 1998.
  39. Haahr M. RANDOM.ORG: True Random Number Service. List Randomiser.. .
  40. Boswell JC, Schramme MC, Wilson AM, May SA. Radiological study to evaluate suspected scapulohumeral joint dysplasia in Shetland ponies.. Equine Vet J 1999;31(6):510-514.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03860.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  41. R Core Team. R: A language and environment for statistical computing.. 2022 4.2.0.
  42. Cohen J. Weighted kappa: nominal scale agreement provision for scaled disagreement or partial credit.. Psychol Bull 1968;70(4):213-220.
    doi: 10.1037/h0026256google scholar: lookup
  43. Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data.. Biometrics 1977;33(1):159.
    doi: 10.2307/2529310google scholar: lookup
  44. McGavin MD, Zachary JF. Bone and joints.. Pathologic basis of veterinary disease 2006;p. 1059-1061.
  45. Baxter GM. Adams and Stashak's lameness in horses.. 2020.
    doi: 10.1002/9781119276715google scholar: lookup
  46. Ross M, Dyson S. Diagnosis and management of lameness in the horse.. .
    doi: 10.1016/c2009-0-50774-xgoogle scholar: lookup
  47. Busse C, Lüpke M, Stadler P, Geburek F, Seifert H. Strahlenexposition der Hilfspersonen bei dosisintensiven Standardradiographien am Pferd.. Pferdeheilkunde 2008;24(3):428-432.
    doi: 10.21836/pem20080314google scholar: lookup
  48. Nixon AJ. Diagnostic and operative arthroscopy of the coxofemoral joint in horses.. Vet Surg 1994;23(5):377-385.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1994.tb00498.xgoogle scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.