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. 2025 Mar;57(2):375-383.
doi: 10.1111/evj.14111. Epub 2024 Jun 5.

Auxiliary osseous findings in fetlocks of non-racing sports horses with sagittal groove disease of the proximal phalanx on low-field magnetic resonance imaging

Josephine E Faulkner  1 , Zoë Joostens  2 , Bart J G Broeckx  3 , Stijn Hauspie  2 , Tom Mariën  2 , Katrien Vanderperren  1
Affiliations
Free article

Auxiliary osseous findings in fetlocks of non-racing sports horses with sagittal groove disease of the proximal phalanx on low-field magnetic resonance imaging

Josephine E Faulkner et al. Equine Vet J. 2025 Mar.
Free article

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Background: Sagittal groove disease of the proximal phalanx in equine athletes is commonly considered a bone stress injury. Repetitive hyperextension of the fetlock under high load is thought to contribute to its development. Concurrent changes are often reported in the dorsal sagittal ridge of the third metacarpus/metatarsus (MC3/MT3).

Objectives: To describe the spectrum of associated osseous abnormalities that are present in the fetlock in a large group of horses diagnosed with sagittal groove disease on low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Study design: Retrospective, cross-sectional.

Methods: MRI images of horses diagnosed with sagittal groove disease at Equitom Equine Clinic between March 2014 and March 2023 were evaluated using semi-quantitative grading schemes and a sagittal groove disease MRI classification system.

Results: MRIs of 132 limbs were evaluated, predominantly from warmbloods used for showjumping (n = 83) and dressage (n = 18). Osseous densification and bone oedema-like signal grades were higher in the dorsal sagittal ridge than palmarly/plantarly (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Grades of both osseous densification and bone oedema-like signal in the dorsal sagittal ridge did not significantly differ between the different sagittal groove disease MRI classifications (both p > 0.05).

Main limitations: Inclusion based on original MRI reports, absence of control group, small numbers within some grading groups hindering statistical analyses.

Conclusions: Findings support the aetiological theories of chronic bone-stress due to loaded fetlock hyperextension however the severity of osseous changes of the dorsal sagittal ridge does not appear to be associated with the severity of sagittal groove disease classification.

Historial: La enfermedad del surco sagital (SGD) de la falange proximal en equinos atletas, es considerada comúnmente como un lesión de hueso por estrés. Se piensa que la hiperextensión repetitiva del nudo bajo alta carga contribuye a su desarrollo. Cambios concurrentes ocurren menudo en la cresta sagital dorsal del tercer metacarpo/metatarso (MC3/MT3).

Objetivos: Describir el espectro de anomalías óseas asociadas que están presentes en el nudo en un gran grupo de caballos diagnosticados con SGD por imágenes de resonancia magnética de baja frecuencia (MRI). DISEÑO DEL ESTUDIO: Retrospectivo, transversal. MÉTODOS: Imágenes de MRI de caballos diagnosticados con SGD en la Clínica Equina Equitom de Marzo 2014 a Marzo 2023, fueron evaluadas usando esquemas de graduación semi‐cuantitativos y un sistema de clasificación de SGD MRI.

Resultados: MRIs de 132 extremidades fueron evaluadas, proveniente principalmente de caballos de sangre caliente (Warmblood) usados para salto (n = 83) y adiestramiento (n = 18). Densificación ósea y los grados de las señales parecidas al edema de hueso, eran mayores en la cresta sagital dorsal que en palmar/plantar (p < 0.001 y p < 0.05, respectivamente). Los grados de tanto la densificación ósea como de la señal parecida al edema óseo en la cresta sagital, no difirieron significativamente entre las clasificaciones SGD MRI (ambos p > 0.05).

Limitaciones principales: Inclusión basada en los informes de MRI originales, ausencia de grupo de control, numero pequeño dentro de algunos de los grupos por graduación lo que no permitió hacer análisis estadísticos.

Conclusiones: Los hallazgos apoyan las teorías etiológicas del estrés óseo crónico debido a la hiperextensión del nudo bajo carga, sin embargo la severidad de los cambios óseos de la cresta sagital dorsal no parecen estar asociada con la severidad de la clasificación SGD.

Keywords: MRI; P1; bone oedema; fissure; horse; hyperextension.

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