34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

The use of absorbable composite implants treating subchondral cyst like lesion (SCL) has been described in horses and showed promising results particularly on young animals aiming for the resolution of lameness and reduction of the size of the cavity. The goal of this study was to present short and long term follow up of horses, younger than five years old at time of surgery that were operated for a SCL located in the distal metacarpus/tarsus, proximal and middle phalanges.

Methods:

Descriptive data were retrieved from medical records, radiographs at time of surgery and at 6 months post operatively were compared quantitatively for statistical significance. Performances were collected from racing and jumping board databases. Horses with missing data were excluded from the study.

Results:

Out of 33 cases operated between 2017 and 2023, 20 met the inclusion criteria. There were 4 warmbloods, 5 trotters and 11 thoroughbreds. The mean age at surgery was 18.95 months (5 to 60 months) with only 2 horses older than 20 months.

Eleven cases were lame before the surgery and 7 were not lame after, 3 improved and 1 remained lame. Among the 9 that were not lame, 1 became lame. 75% of SCL had a 30% reduction in size at 6 months (p<0,05). Among 4 racehorses older than 2yo, 3 raced more than 3 times. Among the 4 warmbloods, all returned to intended use.

Conclusions:

Expectations after treatment of SCL of the distal limb using absorbable implants should be reasonable for improvement of lameness grade and radiographic outcome.