J.-M. Denoix

Radiographic findings of juvenile osteochondral conditions detected in 392 foals using a field radiographic protocol.

Radiographic examination in young horses is commonly used to detect juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC). The aim of this study is to present the radiographic findings (RF) detected at the age of 6months in the joints of 392 foals from three breeds: French Trotter Standardbreds (FT), Selle-Français Warmbloods (SF) and Thoroughbreds (TB). Radiographic examination included lateromedial views of the fore and hind digits, tarsi and stifles, and dorsopalmar projections of both carpi. In all areas RF indicative of JOCC were classified according to a four-grade severity scoring system. Distribution and severity of the RF varied according to breed with the SF most affected. The most frequently affected site was the hind fetlock (28.3% of foals). The second most affected site was the fore fetlock in TB and SF, while the carpus and proximal tarsus were the second and third affected sites in FT. The radiographic protocol and grading system used can serve as a basis for field research and further studies on the evolution of RF, risk factors for JOCC or the correlation between RF and the subsequent athletic career of horses.

Evolution of radiological findings detected in the limbs of 321 young horses between the ages of 6 and 18 months

The objective of this study was to evaluate the spontaneous evolution of radiological findings (RF) indicative of juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC) in a field study. A radiographic survey was performed at the age of 6 and 18months in 321 young horses from three breeds (French Trotter Standardbred, Selle-Français Warmblood and Thoroughbred). Each RF identified at 6months was re-evaluated at 18months, and classified as (1) disappeared, (2) improved, (3) stable, (4) deteriorated or (5) new when it was not identified at 6months. Only 32.3% of all RF identified at the age of 6months were stable, while at 18months 46.6% had disappeared and 38.7% were new radiological abnormalities. Evolution of RF varied according to the joint involved and the type of lesion. In the stifle, 85.7% of the RF of osteochondral fragmentation (OCF) of the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea regressed (disappeared or improved). In the hock, 53.1% of the RF of OCD of the intermediate ridge of the tibial cochlea were stable. In the fetlock, dorsal and plantar OCF were frequently observed as new radiological abnormalities at 18months (51% of the dorsal RF and 45.8% of the plantar). As many lesions develop or change after 6months, a definitive radiographic assessment of the JOCC status is more reliable at 18months. Knowing the spontaneous healing capacity of some lesions is useful in helping to decide the appropriate management.

Longitudinal development of equine forelimb conformation from birth to weaning in three different horse breeds.

There is limited published data on conformational changes in the forelimbs of growing foals. This study was designed to describe the changes in conformation of the carpus and distal forelimb from birth to weaning in foals of three different breeds. Evaluation of the conformation of the carpus, fetlock, pastern and foot was carried out in 134 Thoroughbreds, 162 French Trotters and 98 Selle Français (French Warmblood) within 1 month of age and then at approximately 2 month intervals until weaning at approximately 6 months of age. The prevalence of limb deviations decreased from birth to weaning. Angular limb deformities were the predominant conditions in the first month (63.6% of all observed limb deviations) and flexural limb deformities were the most common abnormalities at weaning. The most frequent congenital abnormalities were carpal valgus (42.1% of the foals), fetlock valgus (31.2%), over-at-the-knee (30.8%) and dropped fetlocks (13.0%), with French Trotters and Thoroughbred foals being more affected than Selle Français foals. During the study period, the carpal and fetlock conformation became less valgus. The predominant abnormalities at weaning were fetlock valgus (19.1%), club feet (13.0%) and fetlock varus (11.2%). These observations show that carpal, fetlock and foot conformations changed substantially from birth and weaning. There were significant conformational differences between the three breeds, especially in the first months of life. An understanding of the peculiarities of specific breeds may be useful for the evaluation of individual foal conformation.

Severe tear of the collateral sesamoidean ligament in a horse

) (navicular disease) is the most common cause of forelimb lameness in horses (Denoix and others 2002a, Dyson 2003). Navicular bone remodelling is frequently, but not always, observed on radiographic examination. When abnormal radiographic findings are lacking, tendon or ligament injury can be sus-pected (Denoix and others 2004). This short communication describes the usefulness of ultrasonographic examination of the podotrochlear apparatus (

Phalangeal hyperostosis due to nutritional imbalance in three yearlings

NUTRITIONAL excess or imbalance has been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis in horses ([Savage and others 1993][1]). This short communication describes phalangeal hyperostosis in three yearlings fed a hyperenergetic and calcium-deficient diet.nnAs part of a research programme on