Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Osteochondritis dissecans of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones in horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1985
- Authors:
- Yovich, J V et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study of eight horses diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans, a condition affecting the cartilage in their fetlock joints, most of the horses were young, at or under 2 and a half years old. Common signs included swelling in the joints and pain when the joints were flexed, which often led to lameness, especially noticeable when the horse trotted. X-rays showed damage to the bone in the affected joints, but interestingly, the severity of the bone changes did not always match how severe the symptoms were. This suggests that even if the X-rays look bad, the horse might not show significant signs of pain or lameness.
Abstract
Osteochondritis dissecans of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones was diagnosed in 8 horses during an 18-month period. Seven of the horses were less than or equal to 2 1/2 years old. Synovial distention of the affected fetlock joints and a pain response to fetlock flexion were typical findings. Lameness predominated in 1 limb at a trot, although fetlock flexion frequently elicited lameness in other affected limbs. Radiography revealed bony lesions (flattening, erosion, or fragmentation) of the sagittal ridge in at least 2 fetlock joints in all horses. The onset of signs was not correlated with the severity of radiographic changes in all horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4008298/