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]]