FINAL EXAM: Skeletal Development in Foals

Question 1

Change in height

Answer 1

Birth: 50-60% mature height (a lot of skeletal development happens in utero)
6 months: 75%
12 months: 90%

Question 2

Endochondral ossification

Answer 2

• long bone growth

- ossification of cartilage model

Question 3

Where does endochondral ossification occur?

Answer 3

Metaphysical growth plate (most long bone growth)

Epiphyseal growth plate

Question 4

Bone growth requires some force and tension

Answer 4

Too much force: slows growth

Uneven force: uneven growth

Question 5

Growth plate closure

Answer 5

• slows with age

- plates close at different times

Question 6

When does the distal 3rd metacarpal/tarsal close?

Question 7

When does the distal radius close?

Answer 7

18-24 months

Question 8

Physitis

Answer 8

• Developmental orthopedic disease
• swelling at metaphysical growth plate
• if no lameness, it resolves on its own
• if lameness, decrease growth, decrease exercise

Question 9

Osteochondrosis

Answer 9

• Developmental orthopedic disease
• failure of hormonal endochondral ossification
• usually effects epiphyseal growth plate
• can result in defects to articular cartilage or underlying bone

Question 10

Loose flap or chip in joint (osteochondrosis)

Answer 10

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

Question 11

Flexural defects

Answer 11

• Observed from the side

- Usually too upright “contracted tendons”

Question 12

Angular defects

Answer 12

-Observed from front
-Mild: manage with hoofer
-surgically manage growth at metaphyseal growth plate
periosteal stripping (elevation): speed up slow wide
Transphyseal bridging: slow fast side