EVALUATION OF CARTILAGE LESIONS ON THE MEDIAL FEMORAL CONDYLE AS A CAUSE OF LAMENESS IN HORSES - 11 CASES (1988-1994)

Objective--To evaluate clinical findings and response to treatment in horses in which cartilage lesions on the medial femoral condyle were a cause of lameness. Design--Retrospective case series. Sample Populati on--Medical records of 11 horses that had cartilage lesions on the med ial femoral condyle detected during arthroscopy of the stifle. Procedu re--Signalment, history, lameness examination, response to intra-artic ular anesthesia, radiographs of the stifle, observations during diagno stic arthroscopy, and treatment were extracted from the medical record of each horse. Follow-up examinations and outcome were available for all horses. Results--All horses in the study had lameness, but their g ait improved after intra-articular injection of anesthetic. Abnormalit ies were not observed on radiography of the stifle. Diagnostic arthros copy was performed on 12 affected joints in 11 horses. Cartilage was d impled, wrinkled, and infolded, and a blunt arthroscopic probe could b e inserted into the subchondral bone. In addition to focal lesions, 4 horses had generalized damage to cartilage on the medial femoral condy le. Focal cartilage lesions on the femoral condyle were debrided. In 2 horses, debridement was not performed because of extensive generalize d damage to the cartilage. Six of 7 horses with focal cartilage lesion s treated by debridement recovered completely and resumed previous act ivities. Clinical Implications--Cartilage lesions on the medial femora l condyle can cause lameness in performance horses. Diagnostic arthros copy is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. Debridement of focal cartilage lesions may allow some horses to successfully resume perform ance activities.