## Overview Physitis is inflammation of the growth plates (physes) in young horses, often related to rapid growth, nutritional imbalance, or excessive exercise. It causes warm, painful enlargement around the growth plates, most commonly at the distal radius, distal metacarpus/metatarsus, and distal tibia. Lameness may be present. ## Causes Rapid growth, high-energy diets, conformational stress, or trauma. ## Diagnosis Clinical appearance and radiographs showing physeal irregularity or flaring. ## Treatment Dietary adjustment (reduce energy), restricted exercise, and anti-inflammatories. Most cases resolve with management. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with appropriate management. ## Prevention Balanced nutrition and controlled growth rate.
warm painful enlargement around growth plates; lameness; radiographic physeal changes in young horses
## Overview Physitis is inflammation of the growth plates (physes) in young horses, often related to rapid growth, nutritional imbalance, or excessive exercise. It causes warm, painful enlargement around the growth plates, most commonly at the distal radius, distal metacarpus/metatarsus, and distal tibia. Lameness may be present. ## Causes Rapid growth, high-energy diets, conformational stress, or trauma. ## Diagnosis Clinical appearance and radiographs showing physeal irregularity or flaring. ## Treatment Dietary adjustment (reduce energy), restricted exercise, and anti-inflammatories. Most cases resolve with management. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with appropriate management. ## Prevention Balanced nutrition and controlled growth rate.
warm painful enlargement around growth plates; lameness; radiographic physeal changes in young horses