Osteochondrosis lesions of the lateral trochlear ridge of the distal femur in four ponies.
Abstract: Lesions of the lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) of the distal femur were investigated in four pony or pony cross horses. The animals were all geldings and were six to 15 months of age. Lesions were bilateral in three ponies and unilateral in one. Femoropatellar joint effusion and lameness were present in two ponies; clinical signs were absent in the others. The proximal LTR was affected in all four animals. The radiographic appearance of the lesions was a subchondral defect containing mineralised bodies. Arthroscopic and postmortem examination findings included an osteochondral flap, a fissured or irregular articular surface and a smooth surface overlying focally thickened cartilage that extended into subchondral bone. Thickened articular cartilage was a histological feature of all the lesions. Among the other histological features, the most common were chondronecrosis, chondrocyte clusters, phenotypically abnormal chondrocytes, horizontal fissures at the osteochondral junction and retained blood vessels. The signalment of the four ponies, their clinical signs and the pathological features of their lesions were consistent with osteochondrosis of the LTR in horses. The use of multiple criteria was considered to be important in making a specific diagnosis.
Publication Date: 2011-02-25 PubMed ID: 21498177DOI: 10.1136/vr.c6677Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper examines osteochondrosis, a developmental disorder in the bone-cartilage unit often affecting horses, in four young ponies. The study focused on lesions of the lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) of the distal femur. Different characteristics, clinical signs, and pathological features of the lesions were observed to make a specific diagnosis.
Sample Examination
- The researchers studied four pony or pony cross horses, all geldings between six and 15 months old.
- Their osteochondrosis lesions were found to be bilateral (affecting both sides of the body) in three ponies, and unilateral (affecting one side) in one pony.
- Two of the ponies exhibited signs of femoropatellar joint effusion (excessive fluid in the knee joint) and lameness, while the remaining two ponies displayed no clinical signs.
Radiographic Evidence
- Through imaging techniques, the researchers discovered that the proximal LTR (closer to the center of the body) of all four ponies was affected.
- They identified the radiographic presentation of the lesions as having subchondral defects (abnormalities under the cartilage of a joint), which housed mineralised bodies.
Pathological Findings
- Pony subjects underwent arthroscopic (a minimally invasive procedure to examine joints) and postmortem examinations, revealing osteochondral flaps (cartilage and underlying bone have become detached), fissured or irregular articular surfaces, and smooth surfaces overlying localised thickened cartilage that extended into the subchondral bone.
- Histologically, all lesions demonstrated thickened articular cartilage, chondronecrosis (cartilage cell death), chondrocyte clusters (groupings of cells that make cartilage), phenotypically abnormal chondrocytes, horizontal fissures at the osteochondral junction, and retained blood vessels.
Conclusion
- The ponies’ ages, symptoms, and pathological results indicated that they were affected by osteochondrosis of the LTR, a common affliction in horses.
- The researchers concluded that multiple diagnostic approaches were crucial for making an accurate and specific diagnosis of this affection.
Cite This Article
APA
Voute LC, Henson FM, Platt D, Jeffcott LB.
(2011).
Osteochondrosis lesions of the lateral trochlear ridge of the distal femur in four ponies.
Vet Rec, 168(10), 265.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.c6677 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Weipers Centre for Equine Welfare, Division of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH. lance.voute@glasgow.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Femur / pathology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Lameness, Animal / pathology
- Lameness, Animal / surgery
- Male
- Osteochondrosis / pathology
- Osteochondrosis / surgery
- Osteochondrosis / veterinary
- Patella / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Van Cauter R, Serteyn D, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Caudron I. Evaluation of the appearance of osteochondrosis lesions by two radiographic examinations in sport horses aged from 12 to 36 months.. PLoS One 2023;18(5):e0286213.
- Power J, Hernandez P, Wardale J, Henson FM. Alterations in sclerostin protein in lesions of equine osteochondrosis.. Vet Rec Open 2014;1(1):e000005.
- Benders KE, Boot W, Cokelaere SM, Van Weeren PR, Gawlitta D, Bergman HJ, Saris DB, Dhert WJ, Malda J. Multipotent Stromal Cells Outperform Chondrocytes on Cartilage-Derived Matrix Scaffolds.. Cartilage 2014 Oct;5(4):221-30.
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