Osteochondrosis, Synovial Fossae, and Articular Indentations in the Talus and Distal Tibia of Growing Domestic Pigs and Wild Boars

Abstract

Articular osteochondrosis (OC) often develops in typical locations within joints, and the characterization of OC distribution in the pig tarsus is incomplete. Prevalence of OC is high in domestic pigs but is presumed to be low in wild boars. Postmortem and computed tomography (CT) examinations of the talus and distal tibia from 40 domestic pigs and 39 wild boars were evaluated for the locations and frequencies of OC, synovial fossae, and other articular indentations, and frequency distribution maps were made. All domestic pigs but only 5 wild boars (13%) had OC on the talus. In domestic pigs, OC consistently affected the axial aspect of the medial trochlea tali in 11 (28%) joints and the distomedial talus in 26 (65%) joints. In wild boars, all OC lesions consistently affected the distomedial talus. On the articular surface of the distal tibia, all domestic pigs and 34 wild boars (87%) had synovial fossae and 7 domestic pigs (18%) had superficial cartilage fibrillation opposite an OC lesion (kissing lesion). Other articular indentations occurred in the intertrochlear groove of the talus in all domestic pigs and 13 wild boars (33%) and were less common on the trochlea tali. The prevalence of tarsal OC in wild boars is low. In domestic pigs and wild boars, OC is typically localized to the distomedial talus and in domestic pigs also to the medial trochlea tali. Further investigations into the reasons for the low OC prevalence in wild boars may help in developing strategies to reduce OC incidence in domestic pigs.

A method for labelling lesions for machine learning and some new observations on osteochondrosis in computed tomographic scans of four pig joints

“…In the current study, it was not possible to histologically validate the labelled lesions, but the authors previously validated identical CT lesions in the stifle [ 7 ] and hock joints [ 17 ]. Lesions detected by CT have not been validated in the shoulder or elbow joints previously, but lesions identified in this study appear to correspond to histologically validated shoulder and elbow lesions detected by macroscopic or radiographic evaluation of intact bones and slabs [ 1 , 9 , 18 ].…”

“…Most irregularities associated with normal growth are diffuse, gradual and peripheral, but some anatomical features are focal and sharply demarcated [ 17 ], similar to osteochondrosis lesions [ 7 ]. To date, one strategy to limit false-positive diagnosis has been to avoid evaluating central, midline or mid-height defects because this is where normal nutrient foraminae, synovial fossae and intertrochlear indentations tend to be located [ 17 ]. However, cyst-like defects were currently observed at the collum of the talus (Fig.…”

“…However, cyst-like defects were currently observed at the collum of the talus (Fig. 4 d), and chondrocyte necrosis was previously detected at the margins of intertrochlear indentations [ 17 ]. Both observations indicate that lesions sometimes occur in the same sites as anatomical features.…”

Pathological findings in spontaneously dead and euthanized sows – a descriptive study

“…Pigs are commonly affected by OC. In the study of Etterlin et al [21] all fattening pigs ( n = 100) had OC on the talus when examined by computed tomography.…”

“…Inflammatory locomotor causes of death were frequent in young sows (parity 0–1). These animals may have been unsuitable for the production environment due to, for instance, osteochondrosis, which is a prevalent condition in young pigs [21]. Pigs affected by any primary orthopaedic condition causing pain and/or clumsiness may have an increased risk for bruising of the skin with introduction of infectious agents, if housed without proper bedding.…”