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Osselets (Osslets, Periostitis and serous arthritis) |  |
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| Osselets refer to an inflammation, usually bilateral, of the periosteum on the dorsal distal epiphyseal surface of the third metacarpal bone and the associated capsule of the fetlock joint. The proximal end of the first phalanx may also be involved. Hence, osselets constitutes a form of periostitis and serous arthritis that may progress to degenerative joint disease. The exciting cause is the strain and repeated trauma of hard training in young horses and is recognized as an occupational hazard of the young Thoroughbred. |
| The gait is short and choppy. Palpation and flexion of the fetlock joint produce pain, and examination reveals a soft, warm, sensitive swelling over the front and sometimes the side of the joint. Radiography in the initial stages may show no evidence of new bone formation, in which case the condition is called “green osselets.” Later, enthesopathy may be seen in the area of attachment of the fetlock joint capsule to the large metacarpal bone and first phalanx. New bone or spur formation may break off and appear as “joint mice.” |
| Rest is very important and can be curative for early cases. The inflammation may be relieved by the application of cold packs for several days. Systemic anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone may also be used. Corticosteroid can also be injected intra-articularly; however, this and other forms of anti-inflammatory medication, if used along with continued training or racing, inevitably lead to destruction of the joint surfaces. Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate is useful to reestablish normal synovial viscosity. |
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| See Also |
| Introduction |
| The Lameness Examination |
| Overview |
| Imaging Techniques |
| Overview |
| Anatomic Imaging Techniques |
| Physiologic Imaging Techniques |
| Arthroscopy |
| Regional Analgesia |
| Disorders of the Foot |
| Bone Cyst in Pedal Bone |
| Bruised Sole and Corns |
| Canker |
| Contracted Heels |
| Fracture of Navicular Bone |
| Fracture of Pedal Bone |
| Keratoma |
| Laminitis |
| Navicular Disease |
| Pedal Osteitis |
| Puncture Wounds of the Foot |
| Pyramidal Disease |
| Quittor |
| Sandcrack |
| Scratches |
| Seedy Toe |
| Sheared Heels |
| Sidebone |
| Thrush |
| Disorders of the Fetlock and Pastern |
| Fracture of Phalanges and Proximal Sesamoids |
| Ringbone |
| Sesamoiditis |
| Villonodular Synovitis |
| Windgalls |
| Disorders of the Carpus and Metacarpus |
| Overview |
| Bucked Shins |
| Degenerative Subchondral Lesions of the Carpal Bones |
| Desmitis or Sprain of the Inferior Check Ligament |
| Fracture of the Carpal Bones |
| Intra-articular Osteochondral Chip Fragments of the Carpus |
| Carpal Slab Fractures |
| Accessory Carpal Bone Fractures |
| Fractures of the Small Metacarpal and Metatarsal (Splint) Bones |
| Fracture of the Third Metacarpal (Cannon) Bone |
| Hygroma |
| Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease) |
| Osteochondrosis |
| Osteochondroma of the Distal Radius (Supracarpal Exostosis) |
| Rupture of the Common Digital Extensor Tendon |
| Splints |
| Subchondral Cysts and Septic Arthritis |
| Suspensory Desmitis |
| Synovial Hernia and Ganglion and Synovial Fistulae |
| Tearing of the Medial Palmar Intercarpal Ligament |
| Tenosynovitis of the Tendon Sheaths Associated with the Carpus |
| Traumatic Synovitis and Capsulitis |
| Disorders of the Shoulder and Elbow |
| Arthritis of the Shoulder Joint |
| Bicipital Bursitis |
| Fractures of the Elbow |
| Fractures of the Shoulder |
| Sweeney |
| Disorders of the Tarsus |
| Overview |
| Bog Spavin |
| Bone Spavin |
| Curb |
| Displacement of Superficial Flexor Tendon from the Point of the Hock |
| Fracture of the TArsus |
| Hindlimb Tendon Ruptures |
| Rupture of the Peroneus Tertius Muscle |
| Stringhalt |
| Thoroughpin |
| Disorders of the Stifle |
| Fracture of the Stifle |
| Gonitis |
| Patellar Luxation |
| Subchondral Bone Cyst |
| Disorders of the Hip |
| Coxitis |
| Dislocation of the Hip |
| Pelvic Fracture |
| Trochanteric Bursitis |
| Disorders of the Back |
| Fractures |
| Muscle and Ligament Strain |
| Ossifying Spondylosis |
| Overriding of the Dorsal Spinous Processes |
| Sacroiliac Injury |
| Developmental Orthopedic Disease |
| Overview |
| Osteochondrosis |
| Physitis |
| Flexion Deformities |
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