THE INTERCARPAL LIGAMENTS OF THE EQUINE MIDCARPAL JOINT .3. CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS IN 32 RACING HORSES WITH MIDCARPAL JOINT DISEASE

Objective-To characterize the clinical features of intercarpal ligamen t pathology and to determine the relationship among palmar intercarpal ligament tearing, dorsomedial intercarpal ligament (DMICL) hypertroph y, and other intraarticular lesions. Study Design-Prospective clinical observations. Animals or Sample Population-Twenty-eight thoroughbred and four standardbred race horses. Methods-Clinical, radiographic, and arthroscopic examination of 53 midcarpal joints of 32 horses. Results -Palmar intercarpal ligament tearing was observed in 30 joints of 22 h orses. Some tearing of the medial palmar intercarpal ligament (MPICL) was present in 27 joints of 20 horses, and tearing of the lateral palm ar intercarpal ligament in 9 joints of 7 horses. There was no correlat ion between the severity of clinical signs recorded and the degree of MPICL tearing. Joints with grade 2-4 MPICL tearing had significantly l ess cartilage and bone damage than joints with grade 1 or no ligament damage (P < .05). There was a significant inverse relationship between the number and size of intra-articular fractures, as assessed radiogr aphically, and ligament damage (R = -.31). The DMICL was identified in all joints, and in 18 joints the ligament was enlarged. There was a s ignificant correlation between MPICL damage and hypertrophy of the DMI CL (R = .35). There was no correlation between DMICL hypertrophy and a rticular cartilage damage or subchondral bone damage. Conclusions-Seve re subchondral bone and MPICL damage rarely occur in the same joint an d DMICL hypertrophy may be associated with, rather than a cause of, jo int disease. Clinical Relevance-There are no clinical or radiographic findings that will differentiate intercarpal ligament injury from othe r carpal injuries. Diagnosis is only possible by arthroscopic examinat ion of the midcarpal joint. (C) Copyright 1997 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.