Ischaemic necrosis of the medial femoral condyle is an infrequent sequela to
septicaemia that is not understood at this stage. Foals present lame at around one
month of age with no systemic signs of infection. The foals have a stiff hindlimb gait
at the walk and often “bunny hop” at the trot. Examination of the stifle reveals
effusion of the medial femorotibial and sometimes femoropatellar joints. Synovial
fluid analysis is typical of traumatic synovitis, not sepsis. Radiographs are diagnostic;
caudocranial views reveal large defects in the medial condyles. The lesions are
centred over the main load-bearing surface of the distal femur so prognosis is
regarded as hopeless in most cases.
Lameness in foals can be a challenging area but in contrast to the impossible-topinpoint multiple limb subtle lameness in some sport horses, one can usually
diagnose an exact aetiology and l