Very Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Subchondral Bone Cyst, Stifle
Synonyms: OCD, Osteochondrosis of Stifle, SBC
Summary
This is a defect in the bone scaffolding underlying the cartilage in the stifle joint. It causes collapse of the overlying cartilage, arthritis and pain in the joint. The location of this condition is usually the medial condyle of the femur.
This is mostly a radiographic diagnosis, appearing as a dark "hole" within the ball at the end of the femur in stifle radiographs.
This is most often a problem found in young horses, usually detected when a horse is put into work and lameness is noticed, prompting a veterinary lameness exam.
This is considered a type of osteochondrosis, which is failure of normal development of the structure of the joint.
This is mostly a radiographic diagnosis, appearing as a dark "hole" within the ball at the end of the femur in stifle radiographs.
This is most often a problem found in young horses, usually detected when a horse is put into work and lameness is noticed, prompting a veterinary lameness exam.
This is considered a type of osteochondrosis, which is failure of normal development of the structure of the joint.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Horses with this condition may be helped by surgery and a variety of other treatments, but in most cases, the prognosis for a performance career is fair at best.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health