Equine
Subchondral Bone Cyst
By Dr. Lauren Lamb
Last month we talked about osteochondritis dissecans (OCDs). This month we are going to talk about subchondral cyst, which is another type of bone disease commonly seen in horses. Unlike like OCDs, which are strictly a bone development disease, subchondral cyst can be developmental or acquired. Acquired means that the horse is not born with the cyst in their bone, but instead it develops secondary to an injury to the cartilage. Subchondral cysts are characterized as an area in the bone, usually adjacent to the joint surface, which is less dense and lined with an inflammatory lining. On radiographs the cyst will appear as a dark hole in the bone.
The cause of subchondral cyst is not completely understood. Two predominant theories have been supported by research. The first theory is called the hydraulic theory. With the hydraulic theory, the articular cartilage has full thickness damage, like a small split or tear.
Synovial fluid is forced into the cartilage defect while the horse is weight bearing. The fluid will place pressure on the subchondral bone, which will result in damage and necrosis of the bone. The subchondral bone is the bone directly beneath the cartilage.
Ultimately, this damage to the subchondral bone will lead to a subchondral bone cyst.
The second theory is the inflammatory theory, which causes a cyst to form and enlarge secondary to cellular and molecular mechanisms of inflammation within the subchondral bone. Subchondral bone cysts are seen predominately, about 50 percent of the time, in the stifle.
The second most common location is the long or short pastern bone, around 25 percent. About 62 percent of subchondral bone cyst occur in males, both stallions and geldings. Thoroughbreds and quarter horses are the breeds most commonly affected.
The most common clinical sign is lameness in the affected leg. Joint effusion (excess fluid within the joint) may or may not be present. Joint effusion is more frequent when the subchondral bone cyst communicates with the joint. Only 30 percent of subchondral bone cysts communicate with the joint. The pain causing the lameness is secondary to increased pressure within the cyst or increased inflammation in the bone around the cyst. The tissue within the cyst is termed myxomatous tissue. This tissue secretes inflammatory mediators that will dissolve the bone around the cyst.
To read more pick up a copy of the October 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
This bone cyst in the stifle has a screw placed across it. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Lauren Lamb)
By Phillip Kitts
The mystique and imagined glory of the rodeo road call many young people’s names. As they grow up, they watch the greats of the sport run from rodeo to rodeo and occasionally land on the television giving the perception of the rockstar lifestyle.
No, the glory of the rodeo road is not as grand as, say, the National Football League or the National Basketball Association, but being an athlete competing in front of the yellow chutes of Vegas is just as big a deal, and in every way, can be compared to competing in a Super Bowl.
However, things sure are different in the rodeo world. Let us take a minute and talk about what seem to be simple things in life that impact rodeo and rodeo athletes that in no way would make a difference to the big-money sports.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Garrett Metcalf, DVM
It is common for horse owners to have a horse with a wound or laceration at some point in their life. Sometimes small lacerations can be perceived as benign, inconsequential problems that do not need immediate veterinary attention and are managed by the owners or trainers initially. Unfortunately, these simple-looking wounds can involve very important anatomical structures that can lead to serious infections that can be life-threatening or, at best career-limiting, for the horse.
Large wounds tend to get all the attention from owners or trainers because when they occur they are so obvious and visually appalling that medical attention is sought almost immediately. Those types of large wounds can be devastating, but they often involve the upper body regions of the horse, which heal better and often don’t involve structures such as joints or tendons.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Phillip Kitts
Have you ever wondered what the rodeo looks like for contract personnel in the winter?
This month we will look at what the winter months look like from the rodeo photographer’s perspective.
To understand the time and demands that go into a career as a rodeo photographer, let’s start at when the season gets busy. Not all rodeo photographers work the same. There are many varieties in their career field. They can vary from the few weekends here and there to the full-timer who travels more than 30 weekends a year.
The full-timer that spends most of their year working usually hits the road in late winter. Yes, the winter months are slower but the photographer who has cemented themselves into the field usually books a few during late winter.
Rolling into the spring it begins to get busy. Depending on the photographer, spring can start with an every other weekend type schedule all the way to every weekend through the summer. In 2023 there were photographers that had 20-plus weeks straight going from rodeo to rodeo.
When late fall rolls in things begin to slow down, even for the go-getter who books everything they can.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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