title: Radiographic evaluation of ossification of the collateral cartilages of the third phalanx in Finnhorses.
abstract: Of 462 Finnhorses (age 1-20 years) evaluated and graded (scale 0-5) radiographically for ossification of the collateral cartilages of the 3rd phalanx of the front feet, 22.9% were totally free from sidebones (Grade 0), and 49.1% had minimal or mild ossification (Grade 1 or 2) at the base of 1 or more of the cartilages. Moderate ossification (Grade 3) was present in 10.2% of the horses, whereas ossification was advanced (Grade 4) or extensive (Grade 5) in 17.8%. In most horses > 1 cartilage was affected and 7.6% of the horses had separate centres of ossification in 1 or more of the cartilages. Large sidebones and separate centres of ossification were more common in females than in males (P < 0.001). The incidence of large sidebones was lower in young females (1-3 years) than in mares 4-6 years of age (P < 0.05), but did not increase significantly with age when young horses, 4-6 years of age, were compared with older ones. Grade 4 and 5 sidebones as well as separate centres of ossification were more common in the lateral than in the medial cartilage (P < 0.001), but no difference was observed in this respect between the front feet.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruohoniemi
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tulamo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hackzell
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D002356:Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D005552:Forelimb; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006736:Horses; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D012737:Sex Factors