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guarded for athleticism. Pelvic fractures involving the acetabulum
have poor prognosis for athleticism, but may be serviceable for
breeding.
cuboidal Bone Injury
Cuboidal bone crushing or wedging in the carpus or tarsus is
often associated with failure or delay of endochondral ossification
in premature and dysmature neonates (Figure 4). Crushing and
malformation of cuboidal bone soft cartilaginous precursors
results in onset of juvenile osteoarthritis and varying degrees of
lameness. Clinically, the limb(s) may appear normal or display an
angular deviation; if a hindlimb is involved, a sickle or curby hock
appearance may be present. Prevention of continual cuboidal bone
injury is more effective than treatment after its onset, although
these are limited in effectiveness. Prolonged stall confinement of
premature neonates is recommended until signs of radiographic
ossification of the cuboidal bones occur. This generally requires
4 to 8 weeks. Foals affected with cuboidal bone crushing rarely
make competitive athletes, although most are suitable for light use,
breeding, or comfortable pasture animals.
Figure 4. Tarsal cuboidal bone injury. Progressive radiographs taken over a 3-month period.
Figure 5. Classification examples for infectious arthritis/osteomyelitis. A) Infectious synovitis (S-type): radiographic changes are
rarely observed. B) Epiphyseal infectious arthritis (E-type): involves the joint and adjacent epiphysis. C) Physeal type (P-type):
varying degrees of soft tissue and "sympathetic" effusion in an adjacent joint may occur; lesions may be seen radiographically in the
metaphysic, physis, or epiphysis. D) Small tarsal or cuboidal bone osteomyelitis (T-type): may result in collapse of the affected cuboidal
bone(s).
