Os tarsi tibiale (Talus)
The talus (tibial tarsal bone) is the key bone of the tarsocrural joint. It articulates proximally with the tibia via prominent trochlear ridges. Nearly all hock flexion and extension occurs at this joint. The talus also articulates distally with the central tarsal bone and laterally with the calcaneus. The oblique axis of the trochlear ridges causes slight abduction of the distal limb during hock flexion.
Osteochondrosis and fragments of the intermediate ridge of the tibia (which articulates with the talus) are common developmental orthopedic diseases. Diagnosis is radiographic. Relevant in evaluations of hock lameness and developmental disease.
## Overview Osteochondrosis of the trochlear ridges is a developmental lesion of the femoral trochlea in the stifle, overlapping with OCD. Defective cartilage ossification creates flaps or fragments.
## Overview Bog spavin is effusion of the tarsocrural joint, appearing as soft swellings around the hock that communicate when pressed. Causes include osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, trauma, or poor
## Overview Fractures of the talus (the main bone of the hock that articulates with the tibia) are uncommon but serious. They cause severe hock lameness and swelling. Diagnosis requires high-quality
## Overview Subchondral bone cysts are fluid-filled cavities in the bone just beneath the joint cartilage. They are part of developmental orthopedic disease or follow trauma. Common sites include the
Hock swelling or lameness in young horses should be evaluated. Early diagnosis of osteochondrosis improves management options.
## Overview Osteochondrosis of the trochlear ridges is a developmental lesion of the femoral trochlea in the stifle, overlapping with OCD. Defective cartilage ossification creates flaps or fragments. Young horses show stifle effusion and lameness. Arthroscopic treatment is standard. ## Causes Failure of normal endochondral ossification. ## Diagnosis Radiographs and arthroscopy. ## Treatment Arthroscopic debridement. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for most lesions. ## Prevention Controlled growth and nutrition. Signs include: stifle effusion and lameness in a young horse; radiographic lesions on the trochlear ridges
## Overview Bog spavin is effusion of the tarsocrural joint, appearing as soft swellings around the hock that communicate when pressed. Causes include osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, trauma, or poor conformation. It is common in performance horses. Mild cases may cause little lameness. Chronic joint disease worsens the outlook. ## Causes Joint inflammation from developmental disease, trauma, or strain. ## Diagnosis Clinical appearance and radiographs or ultrasound to identify the underlying cause. ## Treatment Rest, anti-inflammatories, and joint injection for inflammatory cases. Address osteochondrosis lesions surgically if present. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for mild idiopathic effusion. Guarded when significant osteoarthritis is present. ## Prevention Early treatment of hock inflammation. Signs include: soft swellings around the hock that communicate when pressed; variable lameness; may indicate osteochondrosis or arthritis
## Overview Fractures of the talus (the main bone of the hock that articulates with the tibia) are uncommon but serious. They cause severe hock lameness and swelling. Diagnosis requires high-quality radiographs or computed tomography. Prognosis is guarded because of the joint involvement. ## Causes Trauma. ## Diagnosis Radiographs or computed tomography. ## Treatment Surgical repair when feasible. Conservative management for non-displaced fractures. Athletic prognosis is guarded. ## Recovery and Prognosis Guarded. ## Prevention Trauma avoidance. Signs include: severe hock lameness and swelling; radiographic fracture of the talus
## Overview Subchondral bone cysts are fluid-filled cavities in the bone just beneath the joint cartilage. They are part of developmental orthopedic disease or follow trauma. Common sites include the medial femoral condyle of the stifle and the distal cannon bone. They cause lameness and are diagnosed on radiographs. ## Causes Developmental disturbance or osteochondral trauma. ## Diagnosis Radiographs showing a lucent cyst with a sclerotic rim. ## Treatment Rest, intra-articular medication, or surgical debridement or grafting depending on site and size. ## Recovery and Prognosis Variable. Stifle cysts have a more guarded athletic prognosis than some other locations. ## Prevention Balanced growth management in young horses. Signs include: lameness localized to the affected joint; radiographic cyst; common in the medial femoral condyle
Osteochondrosis and fragments of the intermediate ridge of the tibia (which articulates with the talus) are common developmental orthopedic diseases. Diagnosis is radiographic. Relevant in evaluations of hock lameness and developmental disease.
Hock swelling or lameness in young horses should be evaluated. Early diagnosis of osteochondrosis improves management options.
See the Talus / Tibial Tarsal Bone (Left) on our interactive 3D horse model. Open 3D Model