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Post mortem evaluation of palmar osteochondral disease (traumatic osteochondrosis) of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint in Thoroughbred racehorses
Author(s) -
BARR E. D.,
PINCHBECK G. L.,
CLEGG P. D.,
BOYDE A.,
RIGGS C. M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.2746/042516409x368372
Subject(s) - osteochondrosis , condyle , medicine , metatarsophalangeal joints , metatarsal bones , cartilage , dorsum , metacarpal bones , osteochondritis , lameness , point of delivery , carpal joint , orthodontics , anatomy , surgery , wrist , biology , agronomy
Summary Reasons for performing study : Thoroughbred racehorses are commonly affected by subchondral bone injury, but the exact prevalence and the distribution of palmar/plantar osteochondral disease (POD) lesions are unknown. The relationship between pathologies has not been elucidated, although it is widely accepted that POD is a manifestation of traumatic overload arthrosis. Hypothesis : There is an association between grade of POD and other pathologies affecting the third metacarpal and metatarsal (MC/MTIII) condyles (wear lines, cartilage loss, marginal remodelling, dorsal impact injuries and linear fissures). Objectives : To evaluate the pathology found affecting the distal MC/MTIII condyles of Thoroughbred racehorses at post mortem examination, to describe the prevalence and distribution of POD lesions within a population of racing Thoroughbreds and to determine relationships between pathologies of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones. Methods : The metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints of 64 Thoroughbred racehorses were examined at routine post mortem examination and graded for third metacarpal and metatarsal condylar pathology. Associations between pathologies were determined. Results : POD had a within horse prevalence of 67%. There was a significant linear relationship between grade of POD and grades of wear lines, cartilage ulceration and dorsal impact injuries. There was a significant relationship, but this was not linear, between grade of POD and grade of linear fissures. Using ordinal logistic regression, compared to condyles with grade 0 or grade 2 linear fissures, condyles with grade 1 linear fissures were found to be more likely to have a lower POD grade. Potential relevance : POD can be considered to be a manifestation of traumatic overload arthrosis, but the role of subchondral bone adaptation is complex and warrants further investigation.