Degenerative Changes in MCP/MTP Joints of Working Horses Without Lameness: Integrating CT-Based Assessment and Synovial Fluid Biomarkers
Authors: Lazar Marković, Ivan Vićić, Mirjana Lazarević Macanović, Jelena Francuski Andrić, M. Kovačević Filipović, M. Radaković
Journal: Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Serbian Mountain Horses working in steep terrain commonly develop degenerative changes in metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints despite showing no clinical lameness, yet the subclinical pathology underlying these silent lesions remains poorly characterised. Using computed tomography and synovial fluid analysis, researchers examined 24 working horses to identify early degenerative changes and their biochemical correlates, finding that structurally normal-appearing joints nonetheless exhibited elevated total nucleated cell counts and oxidative stress markers (including increased 8-isoprostane and protein carbonyl concentrations) that correlated with CT-detected cartilage and subchondral bone changes. These findings suggest that mechanical loading in mountain work triggers progressive joint degeneration well before lameness becomes apparent, with synovial biomarkers serving as sensitive early indicators of this subclinical disease. For practitioners managing working horses, regular monitoring of synovial fluid biomarkers—particularly cell counts and oxidative markers—may detect joint degradation at a reversible stage, enabling timely interventions (such as workload modification, targeted rehabilitation, or joint therapy) before structural damage advances to clinically significant lameness. This work underscores the importance of proactive joint assessment in working populations and supports the case for biomarker-based surveillance protocols to optimise long-term soundness and welfare in horses subject to repetitive strain.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Routine lameness assessment alone may miss early joint pathology in working horses—synovial fluid biomarkers and imaging could enable earlier intervention before performance loss
- •Serbian Mountain Horses and similar breeds performing demanding work on rough terrain warrant proactive joint monitoring to manage longevity and welfare
- •Consider biomarker-based monitoring (synovial fluid analysis) as a preventive tool to detect joint problems before they manifest as lameness
Key Findings
- •Working horses without clinical lameness showed structural degenerative changes in MCP/MTP joints on CT imaging, indicating silent progression of joint disease
- •Synovial fluid biomarkers including total nucleated cell count and oxidative stress markers correlated with CT-detected structural changes
- •Early joint degeneration occurs in working horses despite absence of visible pain or lameness, suggesting oxidative stress triggers subclinical damage