Radiographic and clinical survey of degenerative joint disease in the distal tarsal joints in Icelandic horses.
Authors: Björnsdóttir S, Axelsson M, Eksell P, Sigurdsson H, Carlsten J
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
Degenerative joint disease of the distal tarsal joints represents a significant welfare concern in working Icelandic horses, with radiographic evidence present in just over 30% of riding horses aged 6–12 years, increasing markedly with advancing age. Researchers performed three-view radiographic projections of both tarsi alongside comprehensive clinical examination—including palpation of the medial distal tarsus and pre- and post-flexion gait evaluation—on 614 horses to establish the relationship between imaging findings and clinical signs. Whilst radiographic changes showed a strong age-dependent prevalence, clinical lameness did not correlate significantly with age; notably, lameness was typically mild and often only apparent following the tarsal flexion test, suggesting many affected horses compensate effectively at baseline. The findings highlight a critical disconnect: radiographic severity could not reliably predict the degree of functional impairment, indicating that standard imaging alone is an insufficient diagnostic tool for determining clinical significance in distal tarsal disease. For equine professionals managing Icelandic horses and other working breeds, this underscores the importance of dynamic clinical assessment and flexion testing as essential adjuncts to radiography when evaluating hindlimb performance problems, and cautions against over-interpreting subclinical radiographic changes in younger horses with no clinical signs.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Expect radiographic evidence of distal tarsal DJD in approximately one-third of Icelandic riding horses; prevalence increases substantially with age
- •Clinical lameness from distal tarsal DJD is often subtle and may only become apparent during or after flexion testing—use this diagnostic test routinely in suspect cases
- •Radiographic findings alone cannot reliably predict which horses will show lameness; combine imaging with clinical examination including palpation and motion assessment for accurate diagnosis
Key Findings
- •Radiographic signs of DJD in distal tarsal joints were found in 30.3% of Icelandic riding horses aged 6-12 years
- •Radiographic prevalence of DJD was strongly correlated with age
- •Hindlimb lameness and palpation abnormalities were significantly associated with radiographic findings, but lameness was usually mild and often only detectable after flexion testing
- •Lameness prevalence was not significantly correlated with age and could not be predicted by specific radiographic details