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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 12914
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 10:28 am: |   |
The following study has important information regarding the age related prognosis of surgery on a particular subchondral cystic lesion in the stifle. At first reading it seems to suggest that waiting to do surgery is harmful, yet this is not what it is saying. It does not compare the outcome of horses who were treated conservatively vs those who are treated with surgery. But the numbers of sucessful surgeries reported still appear a bit better than other reports of conservative management. There are so many uncounted variables however that comparision is tough as the study does show: age has not been looked at before.
Equine Vet J. 2005 Mar;37(2):175-80.
Effect of age at presentation on outcome following arthroscopic debridement of subchondral cystic lesions of the medial femoral condyle: 85 horses (1993--2003).
Smith MA, Walmsley JP, Phillips TJ, Pinchbeck GL, Booth TM, Greet TR, Richardson DW, Ross MW, Schramme MC, Singer ER, Smith RK, Clegg PD.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Subchondral cystic lesions of the medial femoral condyle (SCMFC) are well documented in horses <or>3 years) were less likely to return to soundness (P = 0.02) or to work (P = 0.04) than younger horses (<or>3 years, 16 (35%,95% CI 21-49%) returned to soundness. In addition, cartilage damage at sites other than the SCMFC negatively affected prognosis (P = 0.05). The hospital where treatment was performed had no influence on return to soundness. CONCLUSIONS: Older horses carry a worse prognosis for both return to soundness and return to work. Potential relevance: It is important for clients to be made aware of the difference in outcome between age groups.
DrO |
