Clinical evaluation of dogs after surgical and nonsurgical management of osteochondritis dissecans of the talus

Osteochondritis dissecans of the medial aspect of the talus was diagnosed in 17 joints in 11 dogs. In 10 of the 11 dogs, intermittent lameness had persisted after initial diagnosis and therapy. Radiographs made during the initial examination showed a widening of the medial tarsocrural joint space, with osteophyte formation involving the medial and caudal tarsocrural joint. The follow-up radiographs showed greatest change in the increase in reactive bone formation, especially involving the medial and caudal aspects of the tarsocrural joint and the medial aspect of the talus. Arthrotomy for flap removal and curettage was performed on 11 joints; 6 joints did not receive surgery. After a mean period of 34 months following diagnosis, the dogs were examined clinically and the affected joints were radiographed. The degree of lameness, range of motion, and stability of the tarsocrural joint were graded for each limb. Radiographic determinants that were assessed included: width of the medial tarsocrural joint space, medial tarsocrural osteophyte formation, lateral tarsocrural osteophyte formation, caudal tarsocrural osteophyte formation, medial talus osteophyte formation, lateral talus osteophyte formation, intertarsal osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis of the distal end of the tibia, presence of joint bodies, and periarticular soft-tissue thickness. On the basis of clinical and radiographic evaluations, the surgical procedures described in this report did not modify progression of osteoarthritic changes.

Osteochondritis dissecans of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones in horses

Osteochondritis dissecans of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones was diagnosed in 8 horses during an 18-month period. Seven of the horses were less than or equal to 2 1/2 years old. Synovial distention of the affected fetlock joints and a pain response to fetlock flexion were typical findings. Lameness predominated in 1 limb at a trot, although fetlock flexion frequently elicited lameness in other affected limbs. Radiography revealed bony lesions (flattening, erosion, or fragmentation) of the sagittal ridge in at least 2 fetlock joints in all horses. The onset of signs was not correlated with the severity of radiographic changes in all horses.

Free chondral fragment involving the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus in a dog

A saucer-shaped defect involving the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus and a radiopaque joint fragment were evident on radiographs of the left tarsus in a 6-month-old Rottweiler. Surgical treatment involved removal of the joint fragment and debridement of the defect. Histologic interpretation of the specimen was a chondral fragment. It is important to realize the possibility of a lesion in the location described, as this may be an additional site for osteochondrosis dissecans of the canine tarsus.

Osteochondritis dissecans in the tibio-tarsal joint. Results by surgical treatment

Osteochondrosis is a rapidly growing problem in the horse population and reports are frequent. Osteochondritis dissecans can in most cases be treated surgically, but reports on results are lacking. This paper reports the results of surgery of the tibiotarsal joint in 43 cases.

Cartilage proteoglycans from normal and osteochondrotic porcine joints

Modern pigs grow fast but are highly susceptible to degenerative joint abnormalities, including osteochondrosis. Normal and osteochondrotic humeri and femurs were obtained from five normal and ten lame adolescent boars to study cartilage proteoglycans. Histological examination of joints indicated a locally-reduced intensity of proteoglycan staining by safranin-O in lesion areas of cartilage. Cartilage proteoglycans extracted with 4.0 M guanidinium chloride were studied using Sepharose 2B gel chromatography. The proteoglycans from severely osteochondrotic joints were less (P less than 0.05) aggregated and contained a greater (P less than 0.05) proportion of smaller monomers than those from normal joints. Loss or damage of core protein, including its hyaluronic acid-binding regions, may account for the greater proportion of small monomers. The results also indicated that the proportion of hyaluronic acid in the total glycosaminoglycan uronic acid fraction, estimated by Sephadex G-200 chromatography and cellulose acetate electrophoresis, was lower (P less than 0.05) for the extracted proteoglycans than for the residual or the whole cartilage proteoglycans in all joints studied.

Treatment of proximal hind-limb lameness in cattle

Lameness of the hind limb (tarsus and proximal) in cattle is considered from the viewpoint of diagnosis and prognosis. Indications and techniques for radiography are discussed, as well as when indicated.

Nutritional factors of lameness and metabolic bone disease in cattle

Lameness in cattle has numerous causes, and many factors interact to interfere with normal locomotion. The nutrients that have been implicated are protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, D, and E. The fact that several nutrients may be involved with the problem should not be overlooked. There may also be factors in the diet that interact with the nutrient (particularly with trace minerals) that must be considered. When congenital skeletal deformities are being investigated, the veterinarian should not overlook the nutrition of the dam during pregnancy. When recommending dietary changes, a veterinarian should be careful that new imbalances have not been created and that the producer is not adding nutrients to the diet other than those suggested.

Bovine arthritides. Classification, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment

Bovine arthritides are an important aspect of food animal practice, and a good understanding of these conditions allows the practitioner to develop effective treatment regimens. This article discusses the complexities of joint diseases and the problems associated with their diagnoses and treatments.

Relative amounts of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid from normal and osteochondrotic swine joints

Twenty eight nonlame and ten lame pigs were used to study glycosaminoglycans in synovial fluid from normal and osteochondrotic elbow and stifle joints. The results indicated that porcine synovial fluid contains both hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate and that the chondroitin sulfate to hyaluronic acid ratio is similar (P less than 0.05) between normal and osteochondrotic joints.

Radiological investigations of osteochondrosis dissecans in Standardbred Trotters and Swedish Warmblood horses

A total of 106 Standardbred Trotters and 27 Swedish Warmblood horses, with a radiological diagnosis of osteochondrosis dissecans, were studied over a six year period. The majority were young horses. No statistical difference in frequency between the sexes was demonstrated. In both breeds osteochondrosis was most common in the hock joints, the site of predilection being the distal dorsal tip of the intermediate tibial ridge. On radiographs the lesions of the hock joints were graded on a scale from 0 to 5 according to size, number and localisation of defects and visible loose bodies. The sizes of the loose bodies estimated radiologically were fairly closely correlated with those found at surgery or autopsy.

Considerations of copper metabolism in osteochondrosis of suckling foals

Of 8 Thoroughbred foals in which osteochondrosis developed before weaning, 7 had serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations below normal. Three foals on one farm had serum zinc content high enough to suggest zinc toxicosis, and the liver of each foal contained abnormally high content of zinc. Four foals from the second farm had extremely low serum copper content, but normal serum zinc content. Evidence of environmental exposure to excess zinc was not found on either farm. The lesions in the zones of endochondral ossification of the afflicted foals were similar in many respects to those found in other species of animals with molybdenum-induced copper deficiency and with inhibition of the function of copper-dependent lysyl oxidase by beta-aminopropionitrile, a toxic component of Lathyrus odoratus known to cause osteolathyrism.

Osteochondrosis dissecans in turkeys

The lesions in 3 turkeys with articular cartilage flap formation and associated osteoarthrosis are described. Since cartilage flap formation was accompanied by a disturbance in endochondral ossification, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis dissecans could be made. The site of lesions in 2 of the cases demonstrated that an adjacent ossific nucleus is not a necessary prerequisite for animal osteochondrosis dissecans. In addition, the site of the lesion in these 2 cases support the suggestion that the junctions of contact and non-contact areas of an articular surface are predisposed to pathological change.

Dyschondroplasias, including osteochondrosis, in boars between 25 and 169 days of age: histologic changes

Microscopic sections of physeal and articular-epiphyseal (A-E) cartilages from major limb bones of 60 boars between 25 and 169 days of age were examined. The objectives in this study were to determine the age of onset and pathogenesis of osteochondrosis, a defect of endochondral ossification. Lesions regarded as typical of osteochondrosis were associated with physes of pigs from 25 days of age, indicating an earlier age of onset than has generally been documented. Two morphologically distinct lesions were observed, but both had areas with increased depth of the zone of hypertrophying chondrocytes. Some lesions were repairing. With increasing age of the pigs, the number of involved physes increased in each of 6 different age groups up to 169 days. Lesions associated with physes were observed in boars younger than those with lesions associated with A-E complexes. A few pigs at, or older than, 53 days of age, had osteochondrosis-like lesions involving epiphyseal growth cartilages. However, a dyschondroplasia different from osteochondrosis and typified by chondrolysis was more frequently associated with A-E complexes of pigs at or greater than 79 days of age. The number of affected cartilages and sites with this type of lesion also increased with age. Although osteoarthrosis had not developed in any of the pigs, it is probable that chondrolytic areas were precursors of degenerative joint disease. To date, osteochondrosis has been used to encompass lesions involving physes and A-E complexes. However, in view of the findings in the present study, dyschondroplasia is the preferred term to be used generically and then qualified by morphologic description, since causations may be different.

Dyschondroplasias, including osteochondrosis, in boars between 25 and 169 days of age: radiologic changes

Boars in 6 different groups (between 25 and 169 days of age) were examined radiographically to determine the age of onset of lesions associated with the sites of endochondral ossification in limb bones. Although lesions were in histopathologic sections of physes from all groups of pigs, they were not found frequently in radiographs of live animals until boars were more than 100 days old. Microscopic lesions were infrequent in articular-epiphyseal (A-E) complexes of pigs less than 80 days old, and radiographic examination of live animals had limited value until animals were greater than 100 days old. Radiographs of slabs of bone were useful in the detection of physes with lesions in all age groups and A-E complexes with lesions in boars 100 days of age or older. So that the accuracy of radiographic examination of live animals for the diagnosis of dyschondroplasias could be evaluated, a comparison was made between the numbers of growth cartilages with lesions as determined by radiologic examination of live animals, radiographic examination of slabs of bone, and light microscopy (examination of tissue sections). Only 21% of the lesions associated with physes and 22% of the lesions associated with A-E complexes were detected in radiographs of bones of live pigs. The authors concluded that the latter method was inaccurate for the identification of dyschondroplastic foci. Identification of lesions by examination of radiographs of slabs of bone was only slightly more accurate, since 33% of physes and 23% of A-E complexes which had lesions were found. Potential errors in evaluation of radiographs were discussed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Radiographic, macroscopic, and microscopic changes in growth plates of calves raised on hard flooring

The effect of flooring on the development of physeal and metaphyseal lesions of the limbs was studied in 1- to 5-month-old dairy calves. Calves were allotted to 2 groups. Group I was housed on a clay floor throughout the study and group II was housed on metal slats until weaned and then on concrete. Radiographs of the right thoracic limb of the animals were made 7 times during the experimental period and of the right thoracic and pelvic limbs at necropsy. Selected sections of the physeal regions of the distal part of the radius, metacarpus, metatarsus, and rib were examined microscopically. The physes of the limbs in the 2 groups had eosinophilic streaks and patches which originated in the germinal zone and were associated with blood vessels. These foci varied from small streaks parallel to the chondrocyte columns to multiple horizontal branching patches in which cleft formation and necrosis interrupted the physis, resulting in osseous bridging. Remnants of necrotic cartilage or cartilage containing hypertrophied chondrocytes were located in the metaphysis adjacent to the areas of physeal disruption. Multiple undulations of the physes with variations in thickness and orientation of the chondrocyte columns occurred in the physes of all limbs examined. These areas did not interrupt the physis and were not associated with metaphyseal lesions. The ribs in both groups had focal areas of failure of endochondral ossification characterized by elongation of the hypertrophied zone, accumulation of fibrin and hemorrhage in the zone of provisional calcification, and retention of cartilage within the metaphysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Spontaneous osteochondrosis in rats

143 Sprague Dawley rats, ranging from 19-63 weeks of age, were examined pathologically for the occurrence of spontaneous joint lesions. Macroscopically, a white round plaque was observed in the caudocentral portion of the medial femoral condyle or humeral head and sometimes it had a partially detached margin. Microscopic examination revealed a local thickening of the articular cartilage protruding into the subchondral bone, which suggested cessation of endochondral ossification and retention of cartilage. As the lesion advanced there was fissure formation in the thickened cartilage and proliferation of fibrous tissue beneath the fissure. Formation of a cartilage flap and extensive fibrosis with large cysts were also observed in the most advanced cases. Total incidence of the lesion in the distal femur was 22.2% in male and 2.8% in female rats. The change detected in the rats was identical with pathologic descriptions of osteochondrosis in domestic animals.

An ultrastructural analysis of osteochondritic growth plate cartilage in growing swine

In growing swine, ossification failure due to osteochondrosis has an incidence of nearly 100% in the distal ulna of animals at six months of age, yet the etiology of the disease is understood poorly. In this study, the ultrastructure of the chondrocyte and its pericellular matrix is analyzed in normal growth plates and in growth plates with lesions characteristic of osteochondrosis using aldehyde primary fixatives and osmium-ferrocyanide as the secondary fixative. Chondrocytes in lesion areas fail to undergo normal hypertrophic cell maturation, and they have an accumulation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, lipid droplets and mitochondria. These morphological changes are interpreted to be both variable and nonspecific for osteochondrosis. Within the pericellular matrix of chondrocytes from lesion areas, the most striking abnormality is the presence of a highly condensed matrix with an accumulation of large, irregularly shaped deposits of electron dense material. These morphological alterations are characteristic of a matrix which either is not secreted normally, or in which the highly ordered interactions of diverse macromolecules has been lost. These pericellular matrix changes have not been described in other diseases of growing cartilage. They may be significant in the failure of metaphyseal vascular penetration of the pericellular matrix which is characteristic of osteochondrosis.

Experiences in diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy in the horse

This paper reviews the current status of diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy in the horse. Arthroscopy has been used as a diagnostic aid since 1974 and is useful for evaluation of abnormalities in synovial membrane and articular cartilage. Surgical arthroscopy is a more recent advance that has replaced conventional arthrotomy in 90 per cent of the author's cases. Clinical conditions currently being treated using arthroscopic techniques rather than arthrotomy include all chip fractures in the carpus, chip fractures of the first phalanx, chronic proliferative synovitis in the fetlock and osteochondritis dissecans of the femoropatellar and tibiotarsal joints. The equipment requirements and basic techniques are reviewed. Convalescent time following surgery is decreased and the cosmetic appearance improved compared to arthrotomy. Considerable experience is required for competent surgery which, in turn, is necessary for this method to have advantage over previous conventional techniques.

Osteochondrotic changes in the vertebrae of four ataxic horses suffering from cervical vertebral malformation

Ataxia caused by a focal compression of the cervical spinal cord was diagnosed in four young standardbred trotting horses. Diagnosis was verified by myelography. Changes in the cervical vertebral column were studied using microradiographic and histologic methods. In the vertebrae involved, there was irregularity of the cartilaginous growth zone, cracks with a loose fragment and disturbance in the enchondral ossification. These changes resemble osteochondrosis. Porous appearance in lateral and ventral funiculi as well as mural calcified plaques in the small vessels of the white matter were found in the spinal cord.

Observations on the postnatal morphogenesis of the porcine humeral condyle and the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis

The condyles of the distal humeri of 75 pigs ranging in age from 1 day to 9 months were studied by gross observation and radiography. Twenty-eight pigs were reared on pasture, necropsied, and were studied histologically. The portion of the secondary center of ossification of the distal humeral epiphysis located in the lateral condyle of neonatal pigs was larger than that observed in the medial condyle and assumed the contour of the articular surface at an earlier age. Thus, the articular-epiphyseal cartilage of the medial condyle had an inherent propensity to be thicker than that of the lateral condyle and might be predisposed to the influence of deleterious biomechanical insult. Projections of cartilage containing degenerating chondrocytes from the epiphyseal cartilage into the subadjacent trabecular bone may have been early lesions of osteochondrosis in pigs less than or equal to 3 months of age. Osteochondral and articular fractures of the medial condyles and intercondylar cristae of the distal humeri of 6- to 9-month-old pigs were observed. Seemingly, fractures resulted from shearing forces within the humeral articular surfaces at the junction of the articular-epiphyseal cartilage continuum and the subchondral epiphyseal bone with subsequent separation of the tissues at the osteochondral interface. Such shearing forces could result from a torque and/or laterally to medially directed forces of unusually great magnitude generated by movement of the proximal radius against the distal humerus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)