Abstract
Objectives The lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) of the femur is the most common predilection site
for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in the equine stifle. The objective was to investigate
the relationship between lesion size, racing performance, and sale result of Thoroughbreds
with LTR OCD following arthroscopic removal as a yearling.
Methods In this retrospective study, medical records of 145 Thoroughbreds from one equine
hospital that underwent surgery for LTR OCD were reviewed; the length and depth of
the lesions were measured on preoperative radiographs. Horses were allocated to group
S if they were presented to a public yearling sale post-surgery, and horses in group
NS were not. Each horse from group S was matched with two control horses from the
same sale (group C). Influence of lesion size on racing performance and sale result
was analyzed. Racing performance and sale results were compared between different
categories of OCD lesion sizes and between the groups.
Results Lesion length and depth did not affect racing performance and did not differ between
group S and group NS. However, group S did perform significantly better than group
NS. When comparing groups S and C, there were no significant differences in racing
performance and sale result.
Conclusion Thoroughbreds that had arthroscopic surgery for LTR OCD as a yearling and were presented
on a public yearling sale performed comparable to Thoroughbreds that showed similar
potential as a yearling. Sale result is not significantly affected in our study.
Keywords osteochondritis dissecans - stifle - Thoroughbreds - racing performance - sale
