Abstracts | EQUINE
Chondromalacia of the cranial medial femoral condyle;
its occurrence and association with clinical outcome in a
population of adult horses with stifle lameness
A. K. Croxford R. A. Parker J. H. Burford D. Lloyd J. C. Boswell T. K. Hughes T. J. Phillips
Background
Chondromalacia of the cranial medial femoral condyle
(CMFC) is a potential cause of stifle lameness in adult
horses. However, there is scant published evidence of
either its occurrence or its clinical significance.
Objectives
To document the occurrence of CMFC seen during
diagnostic arthroscopy in adult horses with stifle
lameness and to investigate its prognostic significance.
Study design
Retrospective cohort study.
Methods
The records were reviewed of all horses with unilateral or
bilateral lameness localised to the stifle that underwent
diagnostic arthroscopy of the cranial medial femorotibial
joint at a UK equine hospital. The surgical findings were
noted from each. Case outcomes were determined by
unstructured telephone discussions with owners. A
satisfactory outcome was defined as a horse that was
in ridden work without ongoing anti‐inflammatory
medication. Multivariable logistic regression was used
to create a model with an outcome time point at 12‐
month post‐operatively.
Results
One hundred and four horses were included in the
study. CMFC was found in 79. In 25 CMFC was the only
finding, 54 horses had CMFC plus other pathology and
25 had other pathology, but no CMFC. At 12 months,
horses with CMFC were 9.9 (95% CI 2.2–45.0, P<0.01)
times more likely to have an unsatisfactory outcome
than horses without CMFC.
Main limitations
The study relied on retrospective analysis of clinical
notes and archived arthroscopy videos. Assessment of
outcome was determined by unstructured telephone
interview and therefore there is potential for reporting
errors to exist.
Conclusions
CMFC is a common arthroscopic finding in horses with
stifle lameness and is significantly associated with an
increased likelihood of the horse not being in ridden
work at long‐term follow‐up.
• Volume 22 Issue 01 | March 2020 •
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