Osteochondral fragmentation of the plantar/palmar proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx in racing horses.
Abstract: The clinical presentation and outcome of treatment is presented for 26 cases of osteochondral fragmentation of the plantar/palmar proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx. Twenty-three were racing Standardbreds and three were racing Thoroughbreds. The most common reason for presentation was an inability to run straight at high speed. Only eight horses presented for lameness, although on examination 19 were lame. A positive flexion test was recorded in 90% of affected fetlock joints and effusion in 48%. Arthroscopic fragment removal was performed on 23 occasions in 21 horses and arthrotomy in one horse. Of the 16 horses that had returned to racing, 12 had improved their performance, while three showed no improvement, and one was retired for other reasons. In three horses refragmentation occurred after surgery, two of which had improved after initial arthroscopic removal. Degenerative changes within the fetlock joint were detected at surgery in eight horses. Of the four horses treated conservatively, one returned to its previous level of performance temporarily after intra-articular medication, one showed no improvement and two were still resting. Plantar/palmar osteochondral fragmentation of the proximal aspect of the first phalanx is a common cause of low-grade lameness in racing horses, and arthroscopic removal results in improvement in race performance in a high percentage of cases.
Publication Date: 1994-10-01 PubMed ID: 7848178DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1994.tb00906.xGoogle 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.
- 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 evaluates the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of osteochondral fragmentation affecting the plantar/palmar proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx in racing horses. The primary findings suggest that this condition is a common reason for decreased performance and mild lameness in racing horses. Arthroscopic removal of fragmented elements tends to offer significant improvement in race performance for the majority of cases.
Introduction
- The research features 26 instances of osteochondral fragmentation of the plantar/palmar aspect of the proximal phalanx in racing horses, where 23 were Standardbreds and three were Thoroughbreds. The most reported presentation reason was the inability to run straight at high speed.
- Only eight out of the 26 horses initially presented for lameness, while 19 were discovered to be lame upon further evaluation.
Presentation of the Condition
- The research indicates that 90% of the affected fetlock joints exhibited a positive flexion test, with 48% revealed joint effusion.
- It was demonstrated that the osteochondral fragmentation of the aforementioned region is a key reason for reduced-grade lameness in racing horses.
Treatment Approaches and Outcomes
- Out of the 26 horses, 23 had undergone arthroscopic fragment removal, and arthrotomy was implemented in one horse.
- Of the horses who returned to racing, which was a total of 16, 12 showed improvement in their race performance, while three showed no improvement, and one was retired due to different reasons.
Refragmentation and Degenerative Changes
- Refragmentation occurred in three horses after the surgery. However, two of those had shown race performance enhancement post the initial arthroscopic removal.
- Eight of the horses were discovered to have degenerative changes within the fetlock joint during surgery.
Conservative Treatment Approaches
- Four horses were treated conservatively. Of these, one showed temporary performance improvement after intra-articular medication, while one showed no improvement and two were resting.
Cite This Article
APA
Whitton RC, Kannegieter NJ.
(1994).
Osteochondral fragmentation of the plantar/palmar proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx in racing horses.
Aust Vet J, 71(10), 318-321.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1994.tb00906.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Lameness, Animal / surgery
- Male
- Osteochondritis / complications
- Osteochondritis / diagnosis
- Osteochondritis / surgery
- Osteochondritis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- McCoy AM, Secor EJ, Roady PJ, Gray SM, Klein J, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD. Plantar osteochondral fragments in young Standardbreds are associated with minimal joint inflammation at the time of surgical removal. Equine Vet J 2023 Jan;55(1):33-41.
- Miyakoshi D, Senba H, Shikichi M, Maeda M, Shibata R, Misumi K. A retrospective study of radiographic abnormalities in the repositories of 2-year-old Thoroughbred in-training sales in Japan. J Equine Sci 2016;27(2):67-76.
- Vos NJ. Incidence of osteochondrosis (dissecans) in Dutch warmblood horses presented for pre-purchase examination. Ir Vet J 2008 Jan 1;61(1):33-7.
- Fubini SL, Erb HN, Freeman KP, Todhunter RJ. Prognostic factors affecting survival of 507 horses with joint disease: (1983 to 1990). Can J Vet Res 1999 Oct;63(4):253-60.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
