Osteochondrosis of the fetlock, hock and stifle joint in comparison between foals and two-year-old horses

In the context of an interdisciplinary research project of osteochondrosis in horses, 630 foals and their dams were examined radiographicly in 2001. After two years 405 horses were examined. Radiographs of the fetlock-, hock- and stifle joint were done and evaluated with osteochondral lesions and/or osteochondral fragments. The goal of this study is to analyse the radiographic findings of foals and to compare the findings with the radiographic findings that were taken from the some horses two years later Additionally a comparison of radiographic findings between dams and their descendents was made. In the palmar and plantar aspect of P1 a distinct increase in osteochondrotic fragments was observed in two-year-old horses compared with foals. In hock joint a changing of osteochondrotic lesions to osteochondrotic fragments was recorded in many cases by two- year-old horses. Osteochondrotic lesions in stifle joint that have been diagnosed at weaning age could not be demonstrated when these horses were x-rayed two years later. However osteochondrotic fragments in stifle joint were only demonstrated in two-year-old horses. The comparison of the radiographic findings showed a hereditary influence on the development of osteochondrosis dissecans.