Treatment of subchondral lucencies in the medial proximal radius with a bone screw in 8 horses.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the results of screw placement through subchondral lucencies (SCL) of the proximal radius in 8 horses.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
Horses with cubital SCL causing lameness (n=8).


METHODS
Medical record review and clinical follow-up.


RESULTS
Eight horses with SCL in the proximal radius causing lameness were treated with a screw placed across the lucency. The horses range in age from 1 to 20 years. In 4 of 8 horses, the lameness had been intermittently severe (apparent at the walk). Lameness was isolated to the cubital joint by intra-articular anesthesia in 5 horses and diagnosed radiographically in all 8. All horses had a 4.5 mm cortical bone screw placed from medial to lateral (6 lag, 2 neutral) across the SCL using fluoroscopic or radiographic control. Postoperative care included stall confinement with hand walking for 30-60 days, followed by an additional 30-60 days of pasture turnout. Radiographic SCL healing (reduction in SCL size) was demonstrated at 3-4 months after surgery in all horses, and 7/8 horses (87.5%) were used as intended (4 performance, 3 pasture turn-out) within 6 months. Lameness in the remaining horse improved initially (dressage) but returned.


CONCLUSIONS
A screw placed through the SCL of the proximal-medial radius was effective in reducing or resolving lameness associated with the elbow joint in 7/8 horses (88%). Screw placement in the proximal radius should be considered for horses with lameness caused by an SCL when a quick return to exercise is desired or conservative therapy is ineffective.
Department of Equine Surgery, Universidad de Extremadura, Caceres, Spain.
Imma
I
Roquet
Performance Equine Associates, Thackerville, Oklahoma.
J
J
Lane Easter
Cotts Farm Equine Hospital, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom.
Richard P C
RPC
Coomer
Department of Equine Surgery, Universidad de Extremadura, Caceres, Spain.
Luis J
LJ
Ezquerra
Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, Weatherford, Texas.
Chad A
CA
Marsh
Blue Ridge Equine Clinic, Earlysville, Virginia.
Steve S
SS
Trostle
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.
Elizabeth M
EM
Santschi
D000818:Animals; D054544:Arthroplasty, Subchondral / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011884:Radius; D012189:Retrospective Studies