Osteochondrosis

OBJECTIVE: To describe an alternative technique and resulting outcomes for arthroscopic removal of osteochondral (OC) fragments from the proximal intertarsal joint (PIJ) using a direct approach without resection of the membrane between the tarsocrural joint (TCJ) and the PIJ.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS: Client owned horses (n = 11) with Category 1 OC fragments in the PIJ.

The influence of supplements containing magnesium on the etiology of osteochondrosis (OC) is unknown. We did two studies to measure the effect of additional minerals (especially magnesium) on OC. In study 1 (five studs, in total 64 mares and foals aged 0 to 5 months, equally divided into two groups), supplementation with minerals and placebo was used. Blood samples were taken from foals at age of 2, 8, and 16 weeks. At the same time, milk samples were taken from the mare.

Case report A 13-month-old Thoroughbred filly was diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the medial tibial malleolus. A sponge impregnated with platelet-rich plasma, bone morphogenetic protein-2, mesenchymal stem cells and gelatin β-tricalcium phosphate was applied to the OCD site following arthroscopy and debridement. Postoperative radiography (every week for 16 weeks), computed tomography (CT) (16 weeks postoperatively), arthroscopy (16 weeks postoperatively) and biopsy of the regenerated tissue (16 weeks postoperatively) were performed to evaluate the outcome.

Twenty years ago a supplement of Equine Veterinary Journal was devoted to equine osteochondrosis (OC) and recognised the importance of this developmental disease to the equine industry. In the accompanying editorial several controversial issues were identified and a number of areas for further research were highlighted. Today, equine OC is still a major clinical problem, but the on-going research has resulted in much improved knowledge and understanding of this highly complicated disease.