An Extra-Articular Surgical Approach to Subchondral Bone Cysts in the Humeral Head and Talus in Two Horses.

To date, only a few reports describe the treatment. The present report describes an extraarticular surgical approach, with the insertion of an absorbable implant, to treat a Subchondral cystic lesion (SCL) in the humeral head 3year old racing Thoroughbred & in the talus of a 11year old Arabian horse. SCLs were radiographically visible and associated with severe lameness. Scintigraphy showed focal intense radiopharmaceutical uptake in both cases, and CT scan revealed signs of osteoarthrosis associated with SCL in the talus. The use of a biocompatible, osteoinductive and osteoconductive implant allowed a reduction of the SCL radiographic appearance of at least 70% in both cases and horses returned to their previous athletic activity. The results of the present study might provide substantial information about a new surgical option to treat SCLs in the scapulohumeral and tarsocrural joints and may broaden prognosis and prolong future athletic ability of affected horses.

Outcome of Ventral Fusion of Two or Three Cervical Vertebrae with a Locking Compression Plate for the Treatment of Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy in Eight Horses.

OBJECTIVES: It was recently shown that biomechanical stability achieved with a locking compression plate (LCP) for ventral cervical fusion in horses is similar to the commonly used Kerf cut cylinder. The advantages of the LCP system render it an interesting implant for this indication. The goal of this report was to describe surgical technique, complications and outcome of horses that underwent ventral fusion of two or three cervical vertebrae with an LCP. METHODS: Medical records of eight horses were reviewed for patient data, history, preoperative grade of ataxia, diagnostic imaging, surgical technique and complications. Follow-up information was obtained including clinical re-examination and radiographs whenever possible. RESULTS: Two (n = 5) or 3 (n = 3) cervical vertebrae were fused in a mixed population with a median age of 9 months, median weight of 330 kg and median grade of ataxia of 3/5. A narrow 4.5/5.0 LCP (n = 6), a broad 4.5/5.0 LCP (n = 1) and a human femur 4.5/5.0 LCP (n = 1) were applied. Two horses were re-operated due to implant loosening. Six patients developed a seroma. Long-term complications included ventral screw migration in four, spinal cord injury in one and plate breakage in two horses at 720 to 1116 days after surgery. Outcome was excellent in three, good in four, poor in one patient. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of an LCP for ventral cervical vertebral fusion is associated with good clinical results. However, a careful surgical technique is required to further reduce the complication rate.