Osteolytic lesions of the tuber calcanei in two horses

Two adult horses were evaluated for chronic hind limb lameness. Nonseptic c alcanean bursitis with associated focal osteolytic lesions at the point of insertion of the gastrocnemius tendon was diagnosed in each horse by physic al and lameness examinations, radiography, ultrasonography, and synovial fl uid analysis. Both horses underwent arthroscopic exploration and lavage of the affected bursa, and one horse also underwent surgical debridement of th e osseous lesion. Both horses remained lame for 13 months after the surgica l procedures. To our knowledge, osseous lesions of the calcaneus in horses with nonseptic calcanean bursitis have not been reported. The flexed proxim oplantar-to-distoplantar tangential radiographic view of the calcaneus was essential in localizing the lesions, as was the sonogram in one horse. Arth roscopy provided a thorough evaluation of the bursa and associated tendons. On the basis of the outcome of these 2 horses, the prognosis for complete recovery for horses with this condition appears to be unfavorable. Surgical debridement of the osseous lesion was of no benefit and may have been detr imental.