Racing Performance and Sale Result in 145 Thoroughbreds after Arthroscopic Removal of Osteochondral Fragments from the Lateral Femoral Trochlear Ridge as a Yearling (2012–2015)

Abstract

Objectives The lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) of the femur is the most common predilection site for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in the equine stifle. The objective was to investigate the relationship between lesion size, racing performance, and sale result of Thoroughbreds with LTR OCD following arthroscopic removal as a yearling.

Methods In this retrospective study, medical records of 145 Thoroughbreds from one equine hospital that underwent surgery for LTR OCD were reviewed; the length and depth of the lesions were measured on preoperative radiographs. Horses were allocated to group S if they were presented to a public yearling sale post-surgery, and horses in group NS were not. Each horse from group S was matched with two control horses from the same sale (group C). Influence of lesion size on racing performance and sale result was analyzed. Racing performance and sale results were compared between different categories of OCD lesion sizes and between the groups.

Results Lesion length and depth did not affect racing performance and did not differ between group S and group NS. However, group S did perform significantly better than group NS. When comparing groups S and C, there were no significant differences in racing performance and sale result.

Conclusion Thoroughbreds that had arthroscopic surgery for LTR OCD as a yearling and were presented on a public yearling sale performed comparable to Thoroughbreds that showed similar potential as a yearling. Sale result is not significantly affected in our study.

Keywords

osteochondritis dissecans - stifle - Thoroughbreds - racing performance - sale

Authors' Contribution

M.P.K.: study design, database creation, interpretation of the statistical data, manuscript preparation. R.B.F.: measurements and interpretation of the radiographs, interpretation of the statistical data, critically revised manuscript, final approval of manuscript before submission. N.V.: statistical analysis, interpretation of the statistical data, critical revision of the manuscript, final approval of manuscript before submission. W.T.B.: study design, interpretation of the statistical data, critical revision of the manuscript, final approval of manuscript before submission.

Publication History

Received: 16 June 2023

Accepted: 02 October 2023

Article published online:
01 November 2023

• References

• 1 Olstad K, Ekman S, Carlson CS. An update on the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis. Vet Pathol 2015; 52 (05) 785-802
• 2 Olstad K, Hendrickson EHS, Carlson CS, Ekman S, Dolvik NI. Transection of vessels in epiphyseal cartilage canals leads to osteochondrosis and osteochondrosis dissecans in the femoro-patellar joint of foals; a potential model of juvenile osteochondritis dissecans. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2013; 21 (05) 730-738
• 3 Dik KJ, Enzerink E, van Weeren PR. Radiographic development of osteochondral abnormalities, in the hock and stifle of Dutch Warmblood foals, from age 1 to 11 months. Equine Vet J Suppl 1999; (31) 9-15
• 4 Russell J, Matika O, Russell T, Reardon RJM. Heritability and prevalence of selected osteochondrosis lesions in yearling Thoroughbred horses. Equine Vet J 2017; 49 (03) 282-287
• 5 Kane AJ, Park RD, McIlwraith CW, Rantanen NW, Morehead JP, Bramlage LR. Radiographic changes in Thoroughbred yearlings. Part 1: prevalence at the time of the yearling sales. Equine Vet J 2003; 35 (04) 354-365
• 6 Preston SA, Zimmel DN, Chmielewski TL. et al. Prevalence of various presale radiographic findings and association of findings with sales price in Thoroughbred yearlings sold in Kentucky. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2010; 236 (04) 440-445
• 7 Foland JW, McIlwraith CW, Trotter GW. Arthroscopic surgery for osteochondritis dissecans of the femoropatellar joint of the horse. Equine Vet J 1992; 24 (06) 419-423
• 8 Kane AJ, McIlwraith CW, Park RD, Rantanen NW, Morehead JP, Bramlage LR. Radiographic changes in Thoroughbred yearlings. Part 2: associations with racing performance. Equine Vet J 2003; 35 (04) 366-374
• 9 Clarke KL, Reardon R, Russell T. Treatment of osteochondrosis dissecans in the stifle and tarsus of juvenile thoroughbred horses. Vet Surg 2015; 44 (03) 297-303
• 10 McIlwraith CW. Surgical versus conservative management of osteochondrosis. Vet J 2013; 197 (01) 19-28
• 11 Sparks HD, Nixon AJ, Fortier LA, Mohammed HO. Arthroscopic reattachment of osteochondritis dissecans cartilage flaps of the femoropatellar joint: long-term results. Equine Vet J 2011; 43 (06) 650-659
• 12 McIlwraith CW, Nixon AJ, Wright IM, Boening KJ. eds. Diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy of the femoropatellar and femorotibial joints. In: Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy in the Horse. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2005: 197-268
• 13 UpRichard K, Elce Y, Piat P, Beauchamp G, Laverty S. Outcome after arthroscopic treatment of lateral femoral trochlear ridge osteochondrosis in sport horses. A retrospective study of 37 horses. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2013; 26 (02) 106-109
• 14 McIntosh SC, McIlwraith CW. Natural history of femoropatellar osteochondrosis in three crops of Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet J 1993; 25 (16) 54-61
• 15 Steinheimer DN, McIlwraith CW, Park RD, Steyn PF. Comparison of radiographic subchondral bone changes with arthroscopic findings in the equine femoropatellar and femorotibial joints: a retrospective study of 72 joints (50 horses). Vet Radiol Ultrasound 1995; 36 (06) 478-484
• 16 Beccati F, Chalmers HJ, Dante S, Lotto E, Pepe M. Diagnostic sensitivity and interobserver agreement of radiography and ultrasonography for detecting trochlear ridge osteochondrosis lesions in the equine stifle. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2013; 54 (02) 176-184