Prevalence and distribution of radiographically evident lesions on repository films in the hock and stifle joints of yearling Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand.
Abstract: To characterise the prevalence and distribution of radiographic changes in the hocks and stifles of Thoroughbred yearling colts and fillies in New Zealand and compare them with other populations of young horses. Methods: Repository radiographs taken in New Zealand for the 2003-2006 Thoroughbred national yearling sales were evaluated by two individual readers. The distribution of radiographic changes was classified as left side only, right side only, or bilateral. Lesions were categorised by type, location, and sex of the yearling. Complete sets of hock and stifle radiographs of 1,505 yearlings were evaluated. Results: Osteophytes or enthesophytes were seen radiographically in the distal tarsal joints of 460/1,505 (31%) horses. Osteochondrosis was seen in the tibiotarsal joint of 66/1,505 (4%) horses, and in the femoropatellar joint of 40/1,505 (3%) horses. Radiographic lucency in the distal or axial aspect of the medial femoral condyle was seen in 247/1,505 (16%) horses, and lucencies consistent with subchondral cyst-like lesions were seen in 26/1,505 (2%) horses. No significant difference was seen in the proportion of colts and fillies with radiographic changes in the hock or stifle. The prevalence of osteochondrosis and subchondral cyst-like lesions in the stifles of the yearlings examined were similar to those reported in Thoroughbred yearling sale horses in the United States of America (USA). The prevalence of changes in the distal tarsal joints was similar to those reported in Standardbred and Thoroughbred yearlings from Scandinavia and the USA. Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of osteochondrosis in the hock and stifle, lucencies in the distal medial femoral condyle, or radiographic changes in the distal tarsal joints between colts and fillies. Conclusions: Establishment of the normal prevalence and distribution of radiographic changes in the hocks and stifles of Thoroughbred yearlings in New Zealand will allow comparison with populations of young horses in other countries. Knowledge of the normal prevalence will assist veterinarians to identify abnormally high or low prevalences on individual farms, to further investigate the pathogenesis of the lesions.
Publication Date: 2008-10-07 PubMed ID: 18836499DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2008.36834Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research assessed the occurrence and distribution of detectable bone deformities in the hock and stifle joints of young Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand as seen in x-ray images. Results indicated varying prevalence of different types of lesions with no significant gender-based differences.
Methods and Scope of the Study
- The research evaluated radiographs of Thoroughbred yearlings taken during national sales in New Zealand from 2003 to 2006.
- The distribution of radiographic changes was classified into three categories: only on the left side, only on the right side, or on both sides.
- The lesions were categorized by type, location, and the sex of the yearling.
- In total, comprehensive sets of radiographs for 1,505 Thoroughbreds were evaluated by two independent readers.
Results of the Research
- Osteophytes or enthesophytes were detected in 31% of the horses’ distal tarsal joints.
- Osteochondrosis was spotted in 4% of the horses’ tibiotarsal joints and 3% of the horses’ femoropatellar joints.
- Radiographic lucency in the distal or axial aspect of the medial femoral condyle was observed in 16% of the horses.
- Lucencies consistent with subchondral cyst-like lesions were seen in 2% of the horses.
- The study found no significant difference in radiographic changes between male and female horses.
Comparative Analysis with Other Populations
- Findings regarding osteochondrosis and subchondral cyst-like lesions in the stifles were compatible with reports from the USA.
- The recorded changes in the distal tarsal joints matched those documented in Thoroughbred and Standardbred yearlings from Scandinavia and the USA.
Significance of the Study
- Identifying the normal prevalence and distribution of these radiographic changes in New Zealand’s Thoroughbred yearlings will permit comparisons with young horse populations in other countries.
- Awareness of the standard prevalence rates will enable veterinarians to recognize unusually high or low prevalences and direct further investigations into the origins of these lesions.
Cite This Article
APA
Oliver LJ, Baird DK, Baird AN, Moore GE.
(2008).
Prevalence and distribution of radiographically evident lesions on repository films in the hock and stifle joints of yearling Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand.
N Z Vet J, 56(5), 202-209.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2008.36834 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. ljoliver@purdue.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Commerce
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- New Zealand
- Prevalence
- Radiography
- Stifle / diagnostic imaging
- Stifle / pathology
- Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Tarsus, Animal / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Miyakoshi D, Senba H, Shikichi M, Maeda M, Shibata R, Misumi K. A retrospective study of radiographic abnormalities in the repositories for Thoroughbreds at yearling sales in Japan.. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Nov 10;79(11):1807-1814.
- McCoy AM, Toth F, Dolvik NI, Ekman S, Ellermann J, Olstad K, Ytrehus B, Carlson CS. Articular osteochondrosis: a comparison of naturally-occurring human and animal disease.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2013 Nov;21(11):1638-47.
- Corbin LJ, Blott SC, Swinburne JE, Sibbons C, Fox-Clipsham LY, Helwegen M, Parkin TD, Newton JR, Bramlage LR, McIlwraith CW, Bishop SC, Woolliams JA, Vaudin M. A genome-wide association study of osteochondritis dissecans in the Thoroughbred.. Mamm Genome 2012 Apr;23(3-4):294-303.
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