Developmental orthopaedic disease in limbs of foals: between-breed variations in the prevalence, location and severity at weaning

Abstract

Developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD) affects all breeds and is a common cause of pain and lameness for horses in sports. A thorough knowledge of between-breed variations for the prevalence of DOD, for its distribution among the various joints and for its severity at earlier stages in the disease process is needed in order to improve the relevance and the cost-effectiveness of DOD screening protocols. However, no prevalence study for DOD simultaneously performed on several breeds with similar farming systems and based on radiographic findings (RF) on quite a large number of joints and views, has been reported earlier. The objective of this study was to describe variations in the prevalence, location and severity of DOD in foals at weaning among Warmbloods (Wb), Standardbreds (St) and Thoroughbreds (Tb) with similar farming systems. DOD assessment was based on RF on the limb joints. A total of 392 foals from 21 volunteer stud farmers were included. To determine the statuses of foals regarding DOD, they were X-rayed on the front-and hind-limb digit, carpus, hock and stifle joints. X-ray data were analysed by three experienced equine veterinarians who gave a common assessment about the entity and the severity of RF. Between-breed variations were analysed in two steps: the first implemented for each anatomical site; the second considered only foals affected by DOD to explore RF association patterns on the affected sites, at foal level. The three breeds were represented by 25.0% of Wb, 41.1% of St and 33.9% of Tb. DOD was present in 66.3% of the foals (95% confidence interval (CI) 5 61.6% to 71.0%). Prevalence of foals affected by DOD and distribution of the RF severity score on the anatomical sites differed depending on the breed: Wb foals seemed to be the most affected by DOD. Cluster analyses showed no clear association among sites. However, Wb and Tb foals were preferentially classified together because they were affected on the same sites, whereas St foals were distributed in other classes. The most severely affected sites were the proximal part of the hock and the femoro-patellar joint for Wb and St foals, and the fore fetlock and the distal part of the hock for Tb foals. This is the first epidemiological study reporting between-breed variations in DOD distribution and severity, for the limb joints of foals. These results contribute to broaden the knowledge on DOD and are of great interest to improve detection of DOD within a particular breed.

Safkan Arap Taylarında Gelişimsel Ortopedik Hastalıkların ve Kemik Lezyonlarının Klinik ve Radyografik Tanısı

“…There are contradictory findings in the literature regarding the effect of gender. The incidence of the disease is 2 times higher in males and several other studies have reported a higher prevalence tendency in males (5,10). In this study, it was determined that gender was not a significant difference in the appearance of the disease, although it was a slight bias towards males.…”

“…The etiopathogenesis of DOD has been debated in the literature by different researchers for years (4,5). The cause of DOD in foals is unknown, but putative factors include nutritional excesses or imbalances, genetics, growth rate, hormonal disorders, trauma and biomechanical forces, metabolic dysfunctions (6,7).…”

Description of a rare osteochondrosis lesion of the medial aspect of the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia in seven Thoroughbred horses (2008‐2018)

“…The majority of these developmental abnormalities at the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia occur on the craniodistal and lateral aspect and are most commonly diagnosed on either the LM or D45M‐PLO projection . Previous studies report the prevalence of radiographically apparent developmental orthopedic disease in 6‐month‐old horses to be 25% in Warmbloods, 41% Standardbreds, and 34% in Thoroughbreds . Because specific intra‐articular areas are commonly affected, radiographic images are often reviewed for abnormalities in a prescribed number of projections per joint.…”

Epidemiology of orthopedic diseases in athletic horses

“…15,16 Most descriptive studies have focused on the risk of musculoskeletal injury or fatality of Thoroughbreds during racing or training. 15,16 Most descriptive studies have focused on the risk of musculoskeletal injury or fatality of Thoroughbreds during racing or training.…”

“…66 Changes in the metacarpo-(36%)/tarso-(44%) phalangeal joints were also commonly identified. 16 Warmblood and Thoroughbred foals were mainly affected at the dorsal aspect of the hind fetlock (36% and 18%, respectively), the fore fetlock (32% and 18%, respectively), the femoro-patellar joint (28% and 15%, respectively) and the carpus (25% and 15%, respectively). More specifically, the medial femoral condyle in the stifle was the commonly affected location with 188 (41%) horses showing either uni-or bi-lateral changes at this site.…”