Osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint: results of treatment with arthroscopic surgery.
Abstract: The technique and results of arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans in 318 tarsocrural joints in 225 horses are reported. Of the 225 horses, 154 were racehorses or intended for racing. Arthroscopic surgery was an effective technique for treating osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint. The overall functional ability and cosmetic appearance of the limbs were excellent. Post surgical follow-up information was obtained for 183 horses, of which 140 (76.5 per cent) raced successfully or performed their intended use following surgery. Of the remaining 43, 11 were considered to still have a tarsocrural joint problem, 19 developed other problems precluding successful performance, eight were considered poor racehorses without any lameness problems identified, three were killed because of septic arthritis and two died from other causes. There was no significant effect of age, sex or limb involvement on the outcome. The size of the intermediate ridge lesions had no effect on prognosis but the presence of degenerative or erosive changes in the articular cartilage significantly decreased the prognosis. The synovial effusion resolved in 117/131 racehorse joints (89.3 per cent) and 64 of 86 non-racehorse joints (74.4 per cent) with follow-up. The outcome for synovial fluid resolution was significantly inferior for lesions of the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus or medial malleolus of the tibia compared to distal intermediate ridge lesions. There was no significant relationship between resolution of effusion and successful performance outcome.
Publication Date: 1991-05-01 PubMed ID: 1884694DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb02746.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explores the effectiveness of arthroscopic surgery for treating osteochondritis dissecans (a bone and joint condition) in horses’ tarsocrural joints (ankle joint equivalent in horses). It highlights that the majority of the treated horses were able to race or perform their intended use post-surgery.
Methodology of the Study
- The research was carried out on 318 tarsocrural joints in 225 horses, including 154 racehorses and those being bred for racing.
- Arthroscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that uses an arthroscope to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint, was utilized to manage the condition.
Results of the Study
- The study reports that arthroscopic surgery effectively treated osteochondritis dissecans in horses’ tarsocrural joint.
- Post-operatively, the overall functional ability and aesthetic look of the limbs were excellent.
- Of the 183 horses that follow-up information could be obtained, 140 horses (76.5%) started racing again or resumed their intended function after the surgery.
- For the remaining 43 horses, some had continued issues with tarsocrural joint, others developed new problems unrelated to the treated condition, few were classified as poor performers without identified lameness issues, and some died due to septic arthritis or other causes not related to the treated condition.
Impact of Factors on Treatment Outcomes
- The study found out that the horses’ age, sex, or limb involvement did not have a significant effect on the results.
- The size of the intermediate ridge lesions did not affect the prognosis. However, if degenerative or erosive changes were present in the articular cartilage, they significantly worsened the prognosis.
- Resolution of synovial effusion (excess joint fluid) was more likely in racehorses (89.3%) than in non-racehorses (74.4%).
- Resolution of synovial effusion was worse when the lesions were present on the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus or the medial malleolus of the tibia as opposed to distal intermediate ridge lesions.
- There was no significant relationship between the resolution of synovial effusion and successful performance outcome after surgery.
Cite This Article
APA
McIlwraith CW, Foerner JJ, Davis DM.
(1991).
Osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint: results of treatment with arthroscopic surgery.
Equine Vet J, 23(3), 155-162.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb02746.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Osteochondritis Dissecans / surgery
- Osteochondritis Dissecans / veterinary
- Postoperative Care / veterinary
- Prognosis
- Tarsus, Animal / surgery
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Tyrnenopoulou P, Karayannopoulou M, Angelopoulou S, Pyrros A, Mparous E, Koliakos G, Diakakis N. Successful management of an equine carpal chip fracture by intra-articularly injected adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction after arthroscopic removal. Iran J Vet Res 2016 Winter;17(1):59-61.
- McCoy AM, Ralston SL, McCue ME. Short- and long-term racing performance of Standardbred pacers and trotters after early surgical intervention for tarsal osteochondrosis. Equine Vet J 2015 Jul;47(4):438-44.
- 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.
- Riley CB, Scott WM, Caron JP, Fretz PB, Bailey JV, Barber SM. Osteochondritis dessicans and subchondral cystic lesions in draft horses: a retrospective study. Can Vet J 1998 Oct;39(10):627-33.
- Dolvik NI, Klemetsdal G. The effect of arthritis in the carpal joint on performance in Norwegian cold-blooded trotters. Vet Res Commun 1996;20(6):505-12.
- Guerra M, Schnabel LV, Jacobs CC. Comparison of a dorsolateral approach and a dorsomedial approach to access the medial malleolus of the distal tibia in horses. Vet Surg 2025 Jul;54(5):992-997.
- Bertuglia A, Pallante M, Pagliara E, Valle D, Bergamini L, Bollo E, Bullone M, Riccio B. Determinants of joint effusion in tarsocrural osteochondrosis of yearling Standardbred horses. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1389798.
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