Radiographic and arthroscopic findings associated with subchondral lucency of the distal radial carpal bone in 71 horses.
Abstract: Case records and radiographs of 71 horses with subchondral lucency, without radiographic evidence of fracture, located on the distal radial carpal bone were examined retrospectively. All horses had lameness and/or joint effusion referable to the carpus. Distal radial carpal bone subchondral lucency was found as a solitary lesion or as a lesion concurrent and symmetric to a contralateral distal radial carpal bone chip fracture. The lesion appeared radiographically as a lucency or shadow on the distal dorsal margin of the radial carpal bone and was most evident on the flexed lateromedial and dorsolateral-palmaromedial oblique projections. Sixty-four joints in 55 horses underwent arthroscopic surgery. Surgical findings included osteochondral fragmentation in 44 joints, cartilage fragmentation with subchondral bone softening in 17 joints and cartilage fraying in 3 joints. Corresponding third carpal bone lesions were observed in 18 joints and moderate to severe synovitis was present in 24 joints. Carpal bone subchondral radiolucency without a fracture fragment observed on radiographs indicated cartilage and bone damage. In some cases, small chip fractures (1-2 mm) were present within the cartilage debris examined at surgery, yet were not radiographically visible. Follow-up information was obtained on 50 of the operated horses and 14 nonoperated horses. Forty (80%) of the surgically treated horses returned to racing, with 34 (68%) of these horses (20 of 26 with subchondral lucency as a solitary lesion) racing at a level of competition equal to or better than the pre-injury level. Of the 14 horses which were not operated, 6 (42%) returned to racing of which only 2 (14%) raced at the same pre-injury level of competition. Radiographic evidence of radial or intermediate carpal bone subchondral lucency is an indication of cartilage and bone damage which is best treated with arthroscopic surgery.
Publication Date: 1996-03-01 PubMed ID: 8706654DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb01598.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study examines the radiographic and arthroscopic findings in 71 horses with a specific bone condition known as subchondral lucency in their distal radial carpal bones. Researchers discovered that this condition, which is often not visible in X-rays, indicated damage to bone and cartilage. They concluded that arthroscopic surgery was the best treatment approach, as evidenced by improved racing performance in horses who received surgical treatment compared to those who did not.
Analysis of Radiographic and Arthroscopic Findings
- The research involved a retrospective examination of case records and radiographs of 71 horses all showing signs of subchondral lucency. This condition was identified in the distal radial carpal bone with no associated fracture evident on the radiographs.
- The subchondral lucency revealed itself either as a solitary anomaly or as a concurrent and symmetric lesion in relation to another condition known as a distal radial carpal bone chip fracture. The lucency appeared as a shadow on the radiographs, most noticeable on specific projections.
- For a more comprehensive understanding of the condition, 64 joints from 55 of the horses underwent arthroscopic surgery. The findings from the surgery included osteochondral fragmentation, subchondral bone softening with associated cartilage fragmentation, and cartilage fraying.
Surgical Findings and Outcomes
- Related bone lesions and moderate to severe synovitis were reported in some of the horses who underwent surgery. These findings further verified the occurrence of bone and cartilage damage in the presence of subchondral lucency.
- Interestingly, minor chip fractures that were not visible on the radiographs were found within the cartilage debris during surgery, further supporting the idea that radiographic evidence of subchondral lucency can indicate significant bone and cartilage damage.
- Follow-up information from the horses revealed that a significantly higher number of horses that received surgical treatment (80%) returned to racing compared to those that were not operated (42%). Furthermore, of the horses that had undergone surgery, 68% were able to race at an equal or higher level of competition compared to their pre-injury state.
Conclusion
- This study provides evidence that radiographic indications of subchondral lucency in the radial or intermediate carpal bone in horses are indicative of cartilage and bone damage. Arthroscopic surgery was found to be an effective treatment for this condition, yielding higher recovery rate and performance level post-injury compared to horses that didn’t undergo surgery.
Cite This Article
APA
Dabareiner RM, White NA, Sullins KE.
(1996).
Radiographic and arthroscopic findings associated with subchondral lucency of the distal radial carpal bone in 71 horses.
Equine Vet J, 28(2), 93-97.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb01598.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Leesburg 22075, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
- Arthroscopy / methods
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Bone Diseases / pathology
- Bone Diseases / veterinary
- Carpus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Carpus, Animal / pathology
- Carpus, Animal / surgery
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Hyaluronic Acid / therapeutic use
- Male
- Radiography
- Retrospective Studies
- Synovitis / diagnostic imaging
- Synovitis / pathology
- Synovitis / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
