The Intercarpal Ligaments of the Equine Midcarpal Joint, Part 3: Clinical Observations in 32 Racing Horses With Midcarpal Joint Disease

• Published in: Veterinary surgery 1997-09, Vol.26 (5), p.374-381
• Main Authors: WHITTON, R. CHRIS, KANNEGIETER, NICHOLAS J., ROSE, REUBEN J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Arthroscopy - methods; Arthroscopy - veterinary; Carpus, Animal - diagnostic imaging; Carpus, Animal - pathology; Carpus, Animal - physiopathology; Horse Diseases - diagnosis; Horse Diseases - pathology; Horse Diseases - physiopathology; Horses; Hypertrophy - pathology; Hypertrophy - physiopathology; Hypertrophy - veterinary; Joint Diseases - pathology; Joint Diseases - physiopathology; Joint Diseases - veterinary; Ligaments - diagnostic imaging; Ligaments - pathology; Ligaments - physiopathology; Prospective Studies; Radiography; Severity of Illness Index; Sports
• ISSN: 0161-3499; 1532-950X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1997.tb01696.x

Objective—To characterize the clinical features of intercarpal ligament pathology and to determine the relationship among palmar intercarpal ligament tearing, dorsomedial intercarpal ligament (DMICL) hypertrophy, 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 horses. Some tearing of the medial palmar intercarpal ligament (MPICL) was present in 27 joints of 20 horses, and tearing of the lateral palmar intercarpal ligament in 9 joints of 7 horses. There was no correlation between the severity of clinical signs recorded and the degree of MPICL tearing. Joints with grade 2–4 MPICL tearing had significantly less cartilage and bone damage than joints with grade 1 or no ligament damage (P