Rc. Whitton et Rj. Rose, POSTMORTEM LESIONS IN THE INTERCARPAL LIGAMENTS OF THE EQUINE MIDCARPAL JOINT, Australian Veterinary Journal, 75(10), 1997, pp. 746-750
Objective To determine the frequency of damage to the medial palmar in
tercarpal ligament (MPICL), and the range of sizes of the dorsomedial
intercarpal ligament (DMICL) of the midcarpal joint in horses with no
history of carpal joint disease. Materials and methods Cadaver limbs w
ere collected from 72 horses with no history of carpal joint disease.
One hundred and forty-two midcarpal joints were dissected and the MPIC
L and DMICL were examined. Measurements were made with a digital micro
meter. Results MPICL tearing was present in 88 of 96 joints from horse
s 2 years and older. Tears were predominantly of the dorsolateral bund
le and complete rupture of the dorsolateral and dorsomedial bundles wa
s not observed. Tearing was not present in feats less than 4 months of
age and the severity of tearing increased significantly with age (P <
0.0001). Severity of tearing was significantly greater in racing Stan
dardbreds than racing Thoroughbreds (P < 0.01), but there was no signi
ficant difference between racing and non-racing horses. The lateromedi
al thickness of the DMICL ranged from 0.4 mm to 2.6 mm in horses 2 yea
rs and older. Lateromedial thickness increased significantly with age,
and was significantly greater in racing Standardbreds than racing Tho
roughbreds (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between rac
ing and nonracing horses.Conclusions Damage confined to the dorsolater
al bundle of the MPICL is a common finding in horses over 1 year of ag
e and is probably of little clinical significance. Complete rupture of
both dorsolateral and dorsomedial bundles is uncommon in horses with
no history of midcarpal joint disease. Variation in size of the DMICL
is observed in horses of all ages, but is most marked in 2-year-old ho
rses.