Ultrasonographic evaluation of tarsocrural joint cartilage in normal adult horses.
Abstract: Ultrasonographic examination of the tarsus was performed on four clinically and radiographically normal limbs of adult horses. Particular attention was paid to the articular cartilage surfaces of the trochlear ridges of the talus and the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia. Two separate measurements of articular cartilage thickness were acquired from a longitudinal view at each site. Anatomy was confirmed with post mortem dissection. Ultrasonography was found to be a practical method for imaging the articular cartilage over the trochlear ridges of the talus and distal intermediate ridge of the tibia. The cartilage appeared as a hypoechoic band overlying the hyperechoic subchondral bone. The mean cartilage thickness over the lateral and medial trochlear ridges of the talus and the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia were 0.57 mm, 0.58 mm and 0.7 mm respectively. These measurements may have value for comparison to thickened cartilage and lesions of osteochondrosis and abnormally thinned cartilage of osteoarthritis. Ultrasound examination was not helpful in evaluating the proximal and distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints, the close proximity of the articular surfaces obscured visualization of the articular cartilage.
Publication Date: 2000-10-29 PubMed ID: 11052371DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2000.tb01871.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound in examining the cartilage of the tarsocrural joint in healthy adult horses. The researchers found that ultrasonography could be a practical method for imaging the cartilage of certain areas in the horse’s joints, providing baseline measurements potentially valuable for comparisons with conditions like osteoarthritis or osteochondrosis.
Methodology of the Study
- The research involved ultrasonographic examinations on four limbs of adult horses, all of which were clinically and radiographically normal.
- Emphasis was placed on the articular cartilage surfaces of the trochlear ridges of the talus and the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia.
- Two separate measurements of the articular cartilage thickness were taken from a longitudinal view of each site.
- The anatomy was confirmed via post-mortem dissection.
Findings of the Study
- Ultrasonography was found to be a viable method for imaging the articular cartilage over the trochlear ridges of the talus and distal intermediate ridge of the tibia.
- The cartilage appeared as a hypoechoic band, or relatively dark area on the ultrasound image, overlying the hyperechoic (brighter) subchondral bone underneath.
- The average cartilage thickness over the lateral and medial trochlear ridges of the talus and the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia were recorded. The measurements were 0.57 mm, 0.58 mm, and 0.7 mm respectively.
- These measurements could be valuable for comparing with cases of thickened cartilage and lesions seen in osteochondrosis, as well as abnormally thinned cartilage observed in osteoarthritis.
Limitations of Ultrasound Examination
- Ultrasound examination was found not to be helpful for evaluating the proximal and distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints.
- This limitation was mainly due to the close proximity of the articular surfaces, which interfered with the visualization of the articular cartilage.
Cite This Article
APA
Tomlinson JE, Redding WR, Sage A.
(2000).
Ultrasonographic evaluation of tarsocrural joint cartilage in normal adult horses.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 41(5), 457-460.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2000.tb01871.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Reference Values
- Tarsal Joints / anatomy & histology
- Tarsal Joints / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Nocera I, Puccinelli C, Sgorbini M, Bagnoli E, Citi S. Ultrasonography of the Metacarpal/Tarsal-Phalangeal Joints in Healthy Racehorses: Normal Appearance, Breed-Related and Age-Related Features.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 3;12(19).
- Hoey S, O'Sullivan J, Byrne J, Devine S, Toomey W, McAllister H, Skelly C. Ultrasound screening protocol for osteochondrosis at selected predilection sites in thoroughbred yearlings.. Ir Vet J 2022 Apr 27;75(1):8.
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