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  Discussion on What does this diagnosis mean?
Author Message
Member:
Beckettj

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 6, 2004 - 5:01 pm:

Dr. O:

I have a five year old Trakehner mare that was diagnosed as a three year old as having:

"R. Stifle: Medial femoral condylar articular surface irregularity, sclerosis and osteolysis toward the axial weight bearing surface suggestive of overlying cartilege malformation. A questionable osteolucent region with surrounding sclerosis is present in the lateral femoral condyle proximal to the joint surface. Its significance is unknown. The trochlea appeared normal.

L. Stifle: Media femoral condylar artcular surface irregularity, sclerosis and osteolysis as seen in the right stifle. the trochlear appeared normal. "

Can you explain to me in plain English what this means? Did/does this horse have OCD? Can this horse ever be used for competitive Dressage? I can tell you that to the best of my knowledge, there was no treatment given to the mare after this diagnosis. She was sold as a brood mare only.

Thanks!

Janice
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 7, 2004 - 7:35 am:

Hello Janice,
It translates as degenertive joint disease (chronic arthritis) with a possible OCD lesion. Though you cannot make a judgement just from the information you provide, it certainly is less likely to make a competitive Dressage Horse than one with clean stifles.
DrO
Member:
Beckettj

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 7, 2004 - 12:35 pm:

Would you recommend this horse as a brood mare? In other words, how likely is this to be a genetic condition that might effect her babies?

Janice
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 8, 2004 - 11:53 am:

The pathogenesis of OCD is not well understood but because some breeds and some lines of horses are associated with a higher incidence of OCD there is a suggestion that there is a genetic component. If I could document the OCD lesion for fact, it would make me much less likely to breed her. I don't think the arthritis alone would prevent me from considering breeding as long as the conformation is good.
DrO
Member:
Beckettj

Posted on Thursday, Apr 8, 2004 - 3:19 pm:

I just had her lift stifle x-rayed about a month ago, because that stifle joint "pops" really loudly with every trot stride. She also draws that hind leg higher up toward her body when she trots. It looks a bit uncomfortable, but I'm not sure if it hurts her a lot.

The x-ray indicated that she now has a sub chondral cyst in the left stifle joint. Is this further indication of an OCD? I have to admit I'm a bit confused between what physically constitutes an OCD vs. a chronic arthritis problem in what otherwise is a sound and healthy young horse.

Thank you!

Janice
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 8, 2004 - 9:37 pm:

Yes a subchondral cyst would be considered a form of OCD. Sclerosis, osteolysis, and irregularity in (and around) the articular cartilage would be pretty good evidence of degenrative joint disease. If the horse is sound you may want to get a second opinion on those radiographs on the other hand you describe a lameness in your last post with the change in gait.
DrO
Member:
Beckettj

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004 - 10:41 am:

Dr. O:

Do you know of one or more good scientific publications and/or studies regarding the genetic susceptibility of OCD or chronic arthritis? I have a potential buyer for this mare, and she would like to breed her, but is understandibly hesitant based upon the above information. Thanks!

Janice
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 23, 2004 - 7:23 am:

No I do not know of are any such studies just the anecdotal observations that OCD runs more in certain breeds and lines of horses. On the other hand arthritis seems more common in hard working horses and those with poor conformation that causes increase stress on joints.
DrO

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