Osteochondrosis of the Stifle in Horses

Osteochondrosis is a common cause of stifle lameness in young horses. Lesions in the stifle most commonly occur on the lateral trochlear ridge of the femur; they can also occur on the medial trochlear ridge, in the intertrochlear groove, or on the patella.

Osteochondrosis lesions of the stifle in a horse are often bilateral and develop in the first 6 months of life. Depending on the severity of the pathology, joint effusion and lameness can be evident in foals or yearlings. In less severe cases, clinical signs might not become evident until the horse starts athletic work. In mild cases, clinical signs might be absent.

The severity of lameness from stifle osteochondrosis varies from absent to severe and is often acute in onset. Effusion of the femoropatellar joint is commonly present. Diagnosis can be confirmed by demonstration of radiographic or ultrasonographic changes or via arthroscopy.

Mild osteochondrosis lesions of the stifle in foals have been shown to heal with conservative treatment. More severe lesions in foals might require arthroscopic debridement; however, care should be taken not to remove too much of the subchondral bone.

In horses with larger defects or fragmentation, arthroscopic surgery is the treatment of choice to remove osteochondral fragments and poorly attached or loose cartilage and to debride abnormal subchondral bone.

In adult horses with stifle osteochondrosis, the prognosis after surgery for return to athletic soundness is fair to good, but it depends on the severity of the lesions, the size of the defect in the subchondral bone, and the intended use of the horse.