Curettage of subchondral bone cysts in medial femoral condyles of the horse

Fifty-one horses and unilateral or bilateral femorotibial arthrotomy with medial condyle bone cyst curettage. A total of 60 cyst were treated. Treated horses responded to the surgery three to 12 months postoperatively. In 42 horses lameness was reduced or eliminated, enabling them to return to an remain in their intended function. Of these 42 horses 35 are sound, four of which have not started training, and seven showed partial improvement, two of which had no long term follow up. Of the remaining nine horses, two showed no reduction in lameness and seven were not followed up. Arthrotomy was successful in reducing or eliminating lameness in 82 per cent of all horses and 95 per cent of those where follow-up was possible (42 of 44). Arthrotomy with subchondral bone cyst enucleation and curettage was determined to be a satisfactory treatment in anticipation of a variety of athletic activities.