Concurrent or sequential development of medial meniscal and subchondral cystic lesions within the medial femorotibial joint in horses (1996-2006).
Summary Reasons for performing study: Medial meniscal injuries and subchondral cystic lesions (SCL) are known to occur independently within the medial femorotibial (MFT) joint in horses. However, there are no reports of a potential clinical relationship between these 2 types of lesions.


OBJECTIVE
To: 1) document the concurrent presence or sequential development of medial meniscal and SCL of the medial femoral condyle within the MFT joint; and 2) determine the prognosis with both types of lesions.


METHODS
Retrospective case series of horses with both a medial meniscal and SCL of the medial femoral condyle identified concurrently or sequentially by radiography, arthroscopy or post mortem examination. Case records and radiographs were reviewed, and a telephone survey of referring veterinarians, owners and trainers was conducted.


RESULTS
Twenty-one horses (9.1% of all horses undergoing MFT joint arthroscopy) were identified to have both a medial meniscal injury and SCL of the medial femoral condyle. Thirteen horses had both abnormalities identified concurrently, 6 developed a meniscal lesion subsequent to SCL debridement, and 2 developed a SCL subsequent to a medial meniscal injury. Only 4/19 horses were classified as successful and returned to their intended use. The severity of the meniscal injury was significantly associated with the severity of lameness but not with outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
A low percentage of horses may develop both a meniscal injury and SCL of the medial femoral condyle within the MFT joint and have a poor prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Trauma to the MFT joint may lead to both meniscal and subchondral bone damage of the medial femoral condyle that may be recognised concurrently or sequentially.
Hendrix
S M
SM
James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Baxter
G M
GM
McIlwraith
C W
CW
Hendrickson
D A
DA
Goodrich
L R
LR
Frisbie
D D
DD
Trotter
G W
GW
D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013264:Stifle / Q000473:pathology*