Radiographic and clinical survey of degenerative joint disease in the distal tarsal joints in Icelandic horses

The prevalence of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the distal tarsal joi nts and the relation between radiographic and clinical signs compatible wit h the disease were estimated in a population of Icelandic horses used for r iding. The material consisted of 614 horses age 6-12 years (mean age = 7.9 years). Radiographs with 3 projections of each tarsus were made and a clini cal examination, including palpation of the medial aspect of the distal tar sus and motion evaluation of the hindlimbs before and after a flexion test of the tarsus, was performed. Radiographic signs of DJD in the distal tarsa l joints were found in 30.3% of the horses and the prevalence was strongly correlated with age. Hindlimb lameness before and after flexion test and pa lpation abnormalities were significantly associated with the radiographic f indings. The lameness was usually mild and, in most cases, detectable only after the flexion test. The prevalence of lameness was not significantly co rrelated with age. Lameness could not be predicted by details of the radiog raphic findings.