Proximodorsal first phalanx osteochondral chip fragmentation in 336 horses.
Abstract: The results of arthroscopic surgery in the treatment of osteochondral fragmentation of the proximodorsal aspect of the first phalanx and the influence of other fetlock joint lesions on prognosis were evaluated in 336 horses. Horses were classified as: 1) returning to previous use at the same or higher class of performance; 2) returning to previous use (regardless of class of performance); or 3) failing to return to previous use. Ninety-six horses (29%) had fragmentation alone; 140 horses (42%) had fragmentation and additional fetlock lesions, and 100 horses (29%) underwent concurrent carpal arthroscopy. Of the 100 horses that underwent carpal arthroscopy, 63 had proximodorsal first phalanx fragmentation alone and 37 had other fetlock lesions associated with the fragment. There was significant association between lesion type and return to previous use for the Thoroughbred racehorse group. There was also a significant association between lesion type and return to the same or higher class of racing for the Thoroughbred racehorse group. No significant association in return to previous use existed for racehorses vs. non-racehorses, Thoroughbred racehorses vs. Quarter Horse racehorses, single vs. multiple joint involvement, and single vs multiple fragmentation per joint. The Thoroughbred racehorses in this study were sensitive to additional fetlock or carpal lesions, as was exemplified by the significant effect lesion type had on outcome.
Publication Date: 1994-09-01 PubMed ID: 7988543DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04409.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study analyzed the effectiveness of arthroscopic surgery in treating osteochondral fragmentation in the first phalanx of horses, and how other fetlock joint injuries affected their recovery. The study showed a significant correlation between the type of lesion and the Thoroughbred’s return to racing but no meaningful link in return to previous use for racehorses versus non-racehorses, single versus multiple joint involvement, and single versus multiple fragmentations per joint.
Understanding the problem
- In this study, the researchers looked at the effects of arthroscopic surgery on 336 horses suffering from osteochondral fragmentation. Osteochondral fragmentation is a joint condition where pieces of cartilage or bone (or both) within a joint break off, causing pain and inflammation. The problem area focused on in this study is the proximodorsal aspect of the first phalanx, part of the horse’s leg.
- In addition to exploring the outcomes of surgery for the osteochondral fragmentation, the study also examined the influence of other fetlock (a joint similar to a human ankle) joint lesions on the prognosis for the horses.
Research group classification
- The horses were divided into three groups based on their recovery outcomes. The first group consisted of horses who were able to return to their previous use and maintain or improve the same level of performance. The second group included horses who were able to return to their previous use but not necessarily at the same performance level. And the third group was made up of horses that could not return to their previous use.
Results and findings
- The study showed that among the 336 horses, 96 horses had only fragmentation, 140 had fragmentation along with other fetlock injuries, and 100 underwent concurrent carpal arthroscopy (surgery that looks inside a joint with a small camera). Of the 100 horses that underwent carpal arthroscopy, some had only first phalanx fragmentation while others had other associated fetlock injuries.
- Interestingly, there was a significant relationship between the type of injury (or lesion) and return to previous use specifically for the Thoroughbred racehorse group. In other words, the kind of injury a Thoroughbred racehorse had significantly affected their likelihood to return to racing. The more serious the injury, the less likely the horse was able to return to its previous racing performance level.
- On the other hand, the study found no significant relationship between racehorses and non-racehorses’ return to previous use, single versus multiple joint involvement, and single versus multiple fragmentations per joint.
- This suggests that Thoroughbred racehorses may be particularly sensitive to additional fetlock or carpal injuries, as demonstrated by the type of lesion significantly impacting the outcome.
Cite This Article
APA
Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW.
(1994).
Proximodorsal first phalanx osteochondral chip fragmentation in 336 horses.
Equine Vet J, 26(5), 392-396.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04409.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Breeding
- Carpus, Animal / injuries
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Foot Injuries / surgery
- Foot Injuries / veterinary
- Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
- Fractures, Bone / surgery
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horses / injuries
- Incidence
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Prognosis
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 7 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.
- Bertoni L, Jacquet-Guibon S, Branly T, Legendre F, Desancé M, Mespoulhes C, Melin M, Hartmann DJ, Schmutz A, Denoix JM, Galéra P, Demoor M, Audigié F. An experimentally induced osteoarthritis model in horses performed on both metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints: Technical, clinical, imaging, biochemical, macroscopic and microscopic characterization.. PLoS One 2020;15(6):e0235251.
- Seghrouchni M, Elkasraoui H, Piro M, Alyakine H, Bouayad H, Chakir J, Tligui N, Elallali K, Azrib R. Osteoarticular radiographic findings of the distal forelimbs in Tbourida Horses.. Heliyon 2019 Sep;5(9):e02514.
- 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.
- McCarty CA, Thomason JJ, Gordon KD, Burkhart TA, Milner JS, Holdsworth DW. Finite-Element Analysis of Bone Stresses on Primary Impact in a Large-Animal Model: The Distal End of the Equine Third Metacarpal.. PLoS One 2016;11(7):e0159541.
- McIlwraith CW, Frisbie DD, Kawcak CE. The horse as a model of naturally occurring osteoarthritis.. Bone Joint Res 2012 Nov;1(11):297-309.
- Boyce MK, Trumble TN, Carlson CS, Groschen DM, Merritt KA, Brown MP. Non-terminal animal model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis induced by acute joint injury.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2013 May;21(5):746-55.
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