Osteolytic lesions of the tuber calcanei in two horses.
Abstract: Two adult horses were evaluated for chronic hind limb lameness. Nonseptic calcanean bursitis with associated focal osteolytic lesions at the point of insertion of the gastrocnemius tendon was diagnosed in each horse by physical and lameness examinations, radiography, ultrasonography, and synovial fluid analysis. Both horses underwent arthroscopic exploration and lavage of the affected bursa, and one horse also underwent surgical debridement of the osseous lesion. Both horses remained lame for 13 months after the surgical procedures. To our knowledge, osseous lesions of the calcaneus in horses with nonseptic calcanean bursitis have not been reported. The flexed proximoplantar-to-distoplantar tangential radiographic view of the calcaneus was essential in localizing the lesions, as was the sonogram in one horse. Arthroscopy provided a thorough evaluation of the bursa and associated tendons. On the basis of the outcome of these 2 horses, the prognosis for complete recovery for horses with this condition appears to be unfavorable. Surgical debridement of the osseous lesion was of no benefit and may have been detrimental.
Publication Date: 2000-09-08 PubMed ID: 10976305DOI: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.710Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research explores a case study of two adult horses suffering from chronic lameness due to nonseptic calcanean bursitis, a condition not previously reported. Despite surgical treatment and other interventions, the horses remained lame after 13 months, suggesting a poor prognosis for the condition.
Understanding the Condition
- The study revolves around two adult horses with chronic hind limb lameness. The underlying condition responsible for this issue was diagnosed as nonseptic calcanean bursitis. This refers to the inflammation of the bursa in the heel bone (calcaneus) that is not caused by an infection.
- This condition was diagnosed through multiple examinations, which included physical and lameness check-ups, radiography, ultrasonography, and analysis of synovial fluid.
- The condition was severe as it was not just the inflammation but also associated with focal osteolytic lesions at the insertion point of the gastrocnemius tendon.
Unsuccessful Treatments and Prognosis
- Both the horses underwent a surgical technique known as arthroscopic exploration and were subjected to lavage treatment to clean the affected bursa. In one of the horses, surgical debridement of the osseous lesion was also performed.
- Despite these measures, both horses remained lame even after 13 months of the surgical procedures, indicating that the treatment was unsuccessful.
- The researchers suggest that the prognosis for complete recovery from this condition appears to be unfavorable. Furthermore, the surgical debridement of the osseous lesion seemed to have potentially detrimental effects.
Significance of the Study and Future Research
- This study sheds light on an unexplored area, as osseous lesions of the calcaneus in horses associated with nonseptic calcanean bursitis have not been reported previously.
- The specific techniques, such as the flexed proximoplantar-to-distoplantar tangential radiographic view of the calcaneus, were found to be essential in diagnosing the lesions.
- The authors implied that due to the unfavorable prognosis and potential harm of surgical debridement, alternative therapies and methods should be researched for treating such a condition in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Bassage LH, Garcia-Lopez J, Currid EM.
(2000).
Osteolytic lesions of the tuber calcanei in two horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 217(5), 710-674.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2000.217.710 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, N Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bursitis / diagnosis
- Bursitis / pathology
- Bursitis / veterinary
- Calcaneus / diagnostic imaging
- Calcaneus / pathology
- Female
- Hindlimb
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / pathology
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Osteolysis / diagnosis
- Osteolysis / veterinary
- Prognosis
- Radiography
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Mizuguchi Y, Kato A, Aizu M. Regional antibiotic perfusion through the lateral saphenous vein in two horses with septic calcaneal osteitis.. J Vet Med Sci 2023 Jan 6;85(1):55-61.
- Isgren CM, Salem SE, Singer ER, Wylie CE, Lipreri G, Graham RJTY, Bladon B, Boswell JC, Fiske-Jackson AR, Mair TS, Rubio-Martínez LM. A multi-centre cohort study investigating the outcome of synovial contamination or sepsis of the calcaneal bursae in horses treated by endoscopic lavage and debridement.. Equine Vet J 2020 May;52(3):404-410.
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