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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2000; (31); 9-15; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05308.x

Radiographic development of osteochondral abnormalities, in the hock and stifle of Dutch Warmblood foals, from age 1 to 11 months.

Abstract: In a longitudinal study the hocks and stifles of Dutch Warmblood foals were radiographed at age 1 month and subsequently at intervals of 4 weeks. Forty-three foals were radiographed until age 5 months and 19 foals until age 11 months. The chance for the development of osteochondrosis was enhanced by using only offspring from diseased sires with radiographically proven OC at either the intermediate ridge of the distal tibia or the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea. The radiographic appearances of the intermediate ridge of the distal tibia, the distal aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus and the midregion of the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea were classified on a 0-4 scale using a standardised radiographic classification. At age 1 month the appearance of the intermediate ridge of the distal tibia was frequently abnormal (grades 1-3: 67%; grade 4: 1%). Abnormal appearances of the distal aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus were less common (grades 1-3: 25%; grade 4: 6%). The midregion of the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea was predominantly normal (grade 0: 98%; grade 1: 2%). Initial abnormalities of the intermediate tibial ridge showed a marked tendency for regression. Progression was less common. Normal appearances rarely turned into abnormal. Only 18% of the hocks were still abnormal at this site at age 11 months. Abnormalities of the distal aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus showed a strong tendency towards resolution. Progression never occurred. Normal appearances seldom turned into abnormal. Only 3% of the hocks were still abnormal at this site at age 11 months. For both predilection sites in the hock normal and abnormal appearances were permanent from age 5 months. In the stifle, abnormal appearances of the midregion of the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea became obvious from age 3 or 4 months. Subsequent progression was usually followed by regression and resolution, the appearance returned in most cases to normal at age 8 months. At 5 months, 20% of the stifles were abnormal, but at 11 months this percentage had decreased to 3%. Normal and abnormal appearances were permanent from age 8 months. Osteochondrosis of the main predilection sites in the hock and stifle develops very early in life. The majority of the lesions were temporary, the 'age of no return' was 5 months for the hock and 8 months for the stifle.
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Publication Date: 2000-09-22 PubMed ID: 10999655DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05308.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research study examines the development of osteochondral abnormalities, specifically osteochondrosis, in the hock and stifle joints of Dutch Warmblood foals from ages 1 to 11 months, observing that abnormalities could develop very early in life and were predominantly temporary.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a longitudinal study, which involved radiographically examining the hocks and stifles of Dutch Warmblood foals from 1 to 11 months of age. Radiographs were taken at one-month intervals.
  • A total of 43 foals were radiographed up until 5 months of age and 19 were radiographed up to 11 months.
  • To enhance the possibility of osteochondrosis development, only offspring from diseased sires with radiographically proven osteochondrosis were utilized for the study.

Results

  • The study discovered that at 1 month of age, frequent abnormalities were observed in the intermediate ridge of the distal tibia, with 67% classified under grades 1 to 3, and 1% under grade 4.
  • Abnormal appearances at the distal aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus were less common, with 25% falling under grades 1 to 3, and 6% under grade 4.
  • The researchers found that the midregion of the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea was predominantly normal, with 98% at grade 0 and 2% at grade 1.

Progression of Abnormalities

  • Initial abnormalities in the intermediate tibial ridge showed a strong tendency for regression, with progression being less common.
  • Normal appearances rare turned abnormal, with only 18% of the hock abnormalities persisting at 11 months.
  • Abnormalities in the distal aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus showed a strong tendency towards resolution without any progression, with only 3% of the hock being abnormal at 11 months.

Stability of Conditions

  • Both normal and abnormal appearances in the hock became stable from 5 months onwards.
  • In the stifle joint, abnormalities in the midregion of the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea became noticeable from 3 or 4 months of age, typically followed by progression, regression, and resolution, returning to normal appearance at 8 months.
  • By 5 months, 20% of the stifles were abnormal, but this percentage fell to 3% by 11 months.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that osteochondrosis, an osteochondral abnormality, tends to develop very early in the life of Dutch Warmblood foals.
  • However, the data revealed that most of these abnormalities were temporary, with the ‘age of no return’ identified as 5 months for the hock and 8 months for the stifle joints.

Cite This Article

APA
Dik KJ, Enzerink E, van Weeren PR. (2000). Radiographic development of osteochondral abnormalities, in the hock and stifle of Dutch Warmblood foals, from age 1 to 11 months. Equine Vet J Suppl(31), 9-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05308.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 31
Pages: 9-15

Researcher Affiliations

Dik, K J
  • Department of Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Enzerink, E
    van Weeren, P R

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Animals, Newborn
      • Breeding
      • Hindlimb / diagnostic imaging
      • Hindlimb / pathology
      • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
      • Horse Diseases / genetics
      • Horse Diseases / pathology
      • Horses
      • Joint Diseases / diagnostic imaging
      • Joint Diseases / pathology
      • Joint Diseases / veterinary
      • Longitudinal Studies
      • Osteochondritis / diagnostic imaging
      • Osteochondritis / pathology
      • Osteochondritis / veterinary
      • Radiography
      • Stifle / diagnostic imaging
      • Stifle / pathology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 25 times.
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