Osteochondrosis of the tarsocrural joint and osteochondral fragments in the fetlock joints: incidence and influence on racing performance in a selected group of standardbred trotters

摘要

Intra-articular bony fragments represent a frequent finding in Standardbred horses. Their incidence and clinical significance have been the subject of several surveys and clinical reports. Several studies and surveys have been published in the past15 years, in order to focus on different aspects of equine osteochondrosis (OCD) and osteochondral intra-articular fragments including proposed causes and aetiopathogenesis, epidemiology, genetic factors, clinical aspects, and surgical management. The sites of predilection of developmental and traumatic lesions in Standardbreds have been identified and today routine pre-sale or pre-purchase radio-graphic investigations mostly focus on the tarsocrural and fetlock joints. Surveys on yearlings are also useful in order to evaluate the incidence of lesions in a population and for planning preventative surgery, most of the lesions having developed by 1 year of age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of OCD in the tarsocrural joint andosteochondral fragments in the fetlock joints of a large group of Standardbred yearlings, and to compare the racing performance of affected and unaffected horses.