The centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region in the tarsus of the horse: Normal appearance, abnormalities and possible association with other tarsal lesions, including osteoarthritis.
Abstract: There have been no detailed descriptions of the radiological appearance of the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region in horses with and without distal tarsal joint pain. Objective: To describe the normal radiological appearance of the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region; to determine the prevalence of mineralisation or ossification of the interosseous ligament; and to describe radiological abnormalities surrounding the interosseous space and concurrent radiological abnormalities in the tarsus. The association between interosseous ligament region abnormalities and radiological evidence of osteoarthritis of the centrodistal joint was assessed. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Case records and radiographs of all horses/ponies (n = 700) that underwent radiographic examination of one/both tarsi over 7 years were reviewed. Case history, height, bodyweight and cause(s) of lameness were recorded. Factors associated with abnormalities of the centrodistal interosseous ligament region were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: The normal interosseous space was an oval or circular-shaped radiolucent area bordered proximally and distally by a rim of bone of uniform opacity and thickness, which varied in thickness among animals. Abnormalities of the interosseous ligament region of the lame(r) limb were evident in 121/700 (17.3%; 95% confidence interval 14.5-20.1%) animals. Increasing bodyweight was associated with decreased odds of interosseous ligament region abnormalities. Forty-seven animals (6.7%; 95% confidence interval 4.9-8.6%) had radiological evidence of osteoarthritis of the centrodistal joint. A greater proportion of animals with interosseous ligament region abnormalities (36.4%) had radiological evidence of osteoarthritis of the centrodistal joint, compared to those with normal interosseous ligament regions (0.5%; P<0.001). Interosseous ligament region abnormalities and osteoarthritis of the centrodistal joint were not necessarily associated with distal tarsal joint pain. Conclusions: There is an association between abnormalities of the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region and osteoarthritis. Radiological evidence of abnormalities of the centrodistal intertarsal ligament region alone or in association with osteoarthritis may be present asymptomatically.
© 2015 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2015-07-14 PubMed ID: 25959439DOI: 10.1111/evj.12457Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the radiological appearance and potential abnormalities of the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region in horses, its potential relationship with osteoarthritis, and how it associates with pain in the distal tarsal joint. The study analyzed the joint areas in 700 horses and found that heavier bodyweight seemed to lower the likelihood of abnormalities, and that these abnormalities were more common in animals with osteoarthritis, however, were not necessarily related to joint pain.
Overview and Objective of the Research
- The main purpose of this research was to provide a detailed description of the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region in horses, specifically how it appears under a radiological study.
- The study sought to understand the prevalence of mineralisation or ossification of the interosseous ligament, an area that had not been thoroughly documented before.
- The researchers wanted to identify any potential associations between abnormalities of this joint region and the occurrence of osteoarthritis.
Research Methodology
- The study was conducted retrospectively, analyzing a total of 700 horses and ponies that had undergone radiographic exams over a period of 7 years.
- The case history, height, bodyweight, and cause(s) of lameness were recorded for each animal.
- The researchers used logistic regression analysis to assess the factors associated with abnormalities in the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region.
Results of the Study
- The researchers observed abnormalities in the interosseous ligament region of the lame limb in 121 out of the 700 animals studied, representing about 17.3% of the total.
- It was found that higher bodyweight was related to decreased odds of having abnormalities in this area.
- Out of the total animals studied, 6.7% showed radiological signs of osteoarthritis in the centrodistal joint.
- A larger proportion (36.4%) of animals displaying abnormalities in the interosseous ligament region also showed signs of osteoarthritis compared to those with normal ligament regions (0.5%), indicating a significant connection between these two conditions.
Conclusions
- The research concluded a significant association between the presence of abnormalities in the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region and osteoarthritis.
- However, these abnormalities, whether they occurred individually or in conjunction with osteoarthritis, were not necessarily linked with distal tarsal joint pain, and could present asymptomatically.
Cite This Article
APA
Skelly-Smith E, Ireland J, Dyson S.
(2015).
The centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region in the tarsus of the horse: Normal appearance, abnormalities and possible association with other tarsal lesions, including osteoarthritis.
Equine Vet J, 48(4), 457-465.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12457 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Ligaments / pathology
- Male
- Osteoarthritis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteoarthritis / pathology
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Tarsus, Animal / anatomy & histology
- Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
Citations
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