Equine Orthopaedics and Rheumatology Q&A 14

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A six-month old Thoroughbred foal presented with lameness of the right carpus associated with effusion of the right antebrachiocarpal joint. The dorsolateral-palmaromedial oblique radiograph of this area is illustrated.

Question	Answer		Article
What is your diagnosis?	There is subchondral lucency of the distal radius. In a horse of this age the most likely diagnosis is osteochondritis dissecans.		Link to Article
How should this case be treated?	The most appropriate treatment is arthroscopic evaluation of the joint. The diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans, involving a large area of the medial aspect of the distal radius, was confirmed. The defect was debrided.		Link to Article
What is your prognosis?	The prognosis in these cases is always guarded to poor. In a limited series of cases seen by the contributor, some degree of lameness has persisted associated with continued fragmentation of the distal radius.		Link to Article