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, Generally
Synonyms: Osseous Cyst- Like Lesions
Summary
A cyst is a fluid filled structure, and subchondral means "under the cartilage." A subchondral bone cyst (SBC) is a hard fluid filled structure within the bone underlying the joint surface.
SBC's can result from a traumatic injury to the joint or from a developmental defect, in which the lining of the joint is infolded into the bone. Some SBC's cause lameness, while others do not. Whether or not they are a cause of lameness depends greatly upon their location, and whether the cyst underlies the weight bearing surfaces of the joint.
Sometimes, bone cysts are found incidentally on radiographs (during a purchase exam, for example), where they appear as a well defined dark spot within the white dense bone underlying the joint. The most common location for these cysts is the medial femoral condyle of the stifle, but they can be found anywhere.
Some SBC's are of little concern and require no treatment, while others may undermine the structure of the joint and cause collapse of the joint surface, resulting in arthritis and lameness. SBC's causing lameness are treated surgically using a variety of techniques. A more recent approach to treatment has been injection of steroids into the cyst, or injection of either PRP or stem cells into the defect.
SBC's can result from a traumatic injury to the joint or from a developmental defect, in which the lining of the joint is infolded into the bone. Some SBC's cause lameness, while others do not. Whether or not they are a cause of lameness depends greatly upon their location, and whether the cyst underlies the weight bearing surfaces of the joint.
Sometimes, bone cysts are found incidentally on radiographs (during a purchase exam, for example), where they appear as a well defined dark spot within the white dense bone underlying the joint. The most common location for these cysts is the medial femoral condyle of the stifle, but they can be found anywhere.
Some SBC's are of little concern and require no treatment, while others may undermine the structure of the joint and cause collapse of the joint surface, resulting in arthritis and lameness. SBC's causing lameness are treated surgically using a variety of techniques. A more recent approach to treatment has been injection of steroids into the cyst, or injection of either PRP or stem cells into the defect.
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.
Very Common
Less Common
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis is good in many cases, but it depends on the location of the SBC and damage to the joint.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.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- How do you know that the cyst is the cause of lameness?
Prevention
Subchondral bone cysts may be part of the DOD complex of conditions (Developmental Orthopedic Disease) that affects young growing horses. The factors that reduce DOD may reduce the development of these cysts. Factors that may be involved include too much or too little exercise, nutritional imbalance, and excess energy in the feed ration of growing horses.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
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