## Overview Osteoarthritis of the middle carpal joint is a frequent cause of knee lameness in performance horses, especially racehorses. Previous chip fractures or chronic synovitis predispose to it. Signs include effusion, reduced flexion, and lameness after work. Radiographs confirm degenerative change. ## Causes Repetitive high-speed loading, prior osteochondral fragmentation, or chronic inflammation. ## Diagnosis Flexion tests, diagnostic analgesia, and radiographs. ## Treatment Intra-articular therapies, anti-inflammatories, and modified training. Arthroscopy if concurrent fragments are present. ## Recovery and Prognosis Fair to good for comfort with management. Advanced disease limits high-speed work. ## Prevention Early removal of clinically significant chips and sensible training schedules.
middle-carpal effusion; lameness after fast work; positive carpal flexion; radiographic osteoarthritis
## Overview Osteoarthritis of the middle carpal joint is a frequent cause of knee lameness in performance horses, especially racehorses. Previous chip fractures or chronic synovitis predispose to it. Signs include effusion, reduced flexion, and lameness after work. Radiographs confirm degenerative change. ## Causes Repetitive high-speed loading, prior osteochondral fragmentation, or chronic inflammation. ## Diagnosis Flexion tests, diagnostic analgesia, and radiographs. ## Treatment Intra-articular therapies, anti-inflammatories, and modified training. Arthroscopy if concurrent fragments are present. ## Recovery and Prognosis Fair to good for comfort with management. Advanced disease limits high-speed work. ## Prevention Early removal of clinically significant chips and sensible training schedules.
middle-carpal effusion; lameness after fast work; positive carpal flexion; radiographic osteoarthritis