Meniscal tears in horses: an evaluation of clinical signs and arthroscopic treatment of 80 cases.
Authors: Walmsley J R, Phillips T J, Townsend H G G
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Meniscal Tears in Horses – Clinical Signs and Arthroscopic Treatment Meniscal injuries represent a significant source of lameness in horses, yet their clinical presentation, arthroscopic findings and long-term prognosis have been poorly documented until now. Walmsley and colleagues reviewed 80 cases of meniscal injury treated arthroscopically at a specialist equine hospital, recording meniscal injury severity, pre-operative clinical and radiographic findings, concurrent intra-articular pathology, and post-operative outcomes. Just under half the horses (47%) returned to full use, with statistical analysis revealing that more severe meniscal lesions, concurrent articular cartilage damage and pre-operative radiographic changes were all significantly associated with poorer outcomes. The study highlights a practical limitation of current arthroscopic approaches: restricted access to certain regions of the femorotibial joint constrains the ability to treat some lesions definitively. These findings should prompt equine practitioners to counsel clients realistically about prognosis when meniscal injury is suspected, particularly in cases with concurrent cartilage damage or radiographic pathology, whilst encouraging continued refinement of arthroscopic surgical techniques to improve treatment efficacy.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Meniscal tears in horses have a guarded prognosis even with arthroscopic treatment, with less than half returning to full function—manage owner expectations accordingly
- •Concurrent cartilage damage and radiographic changes worsen outcomes significantly; obtain full radiographs and perform thorough arthroscopic assessment before committing to surgery
- •Current arthroscopic techniques have anatomical limitations in accessing all meniscal lesions; discuss surgical limitations and potential need for alternative approaches or conservative management with clients
Key Findings
- •47% of horses with meniscal injuries treated arthroscopically returned to full use
- •Poor prognosis was significantly associated with increasing severity of meniscal injury, concurrent articular cartilage lesions, and radiographic abnormalities
- •Arthroscopic treatment effectiveness was limited by inaccessibility of certain regions within the femorotibial joint