Research Summary - 3
Using Stifle Joint Evaluations to Assess the Occurrence of Sepsis and Osteochondrosis Lesions in Feedyard Cattle
| Date/Time: |
9/13/2025
09:00
|
| Author: |
Kayley J Geesling |
| Clinic: |
Kansas State University |
| City, State, ZIP: |
Turon, KS 67583 |
Kayley Geesling, BS
;
Brad White, DVM, MS
;
Robert Larson, DVM, PhD, DACT, DACVPM, ACAN
;
Luis Feitoza, DVM, PAS, PhD
;
1The Beef Cattle Institute (BCI), Kansas State University, P-222 Mosier Hall, 1800 Denison Ave, Manhattan, KS 66506.
Introduction:
Opening a stifle joint is an underutilized examination in field necropsy of feedyard cattle, and limited research has been conducted to characterize the prevalence of abnormal findings. Stifle examination at necropsy may provide valuable information regarding economic- and welfare-associated diseases. The study objective was to determine the frequency of sepsis and osteochondrosis (OC) lesions in stifles of necropsied feedyard cattle.
Materials and methods:
At the time of necropsy, a “U” cut was made around the patella on the medial aspect of the right hind leg so that the patella can be reflected cranio-laterally, allowing for access to the joint synovial fluid and clear observation of the medial and lateral condyles of the distal femur. To determine sepsis, synovial fluid was collected in a pipette where clarity and viscosity were assessed. Normal synovial fluid should be clear and highly viscous, whereas abnormal synovial fluid is cloudy and has a thin consistency. Clarity was recorded as “clear” or “cloudy”. Viscosity was determined using the “string test” which involves placing a drop of synovial fluid between the observer’s thumb and index finger and pulling the fingers apart and measuring with a ruler, fluid that stretched <1 inch was considered non-viscus. Cases were classified as septic when synovial fluid was both cloudy and non-viscous. Cases were classified as OC when erosions were observed on the articular surface of the medial or lateral condyles of the distal femur. Cause of death was determined by systematic necropsy confirmed by a veterinarian and grouped into one of three categories: respiratory, musculoskeletal, or all other diagnoses.
Results:
In seven cases, synovial fluid was unable to be extracted, therefore, these cases were not included in the assessment of sepsis frequency. Data indicated 19 of 384 (5.0%) cases had evidence of sepsis. The prevalence of cases with a septic joint by diagnosis was: 7 of 239 (2.9%) respiratory cases, 6 of 39 (14.0%) musculoskeletal cases, and 6 of 102 (5.3%) other cases. The presence of OC lesions was identified in 49 of 391 (12.5%) cases. The prevalence of OC cases by diagnosis was: 30 of 241 (12.4%) respiratory cases, 6 of 43 (14.0%) musculoskeletal cases, and 13 of 107 (12.1%) other cases.
Significance:
The occurrence of sepsis and osteochondrosis (OC) in feedyard necropsies was relatively low. However, stifle joint evaluation was a practical and time-efficient procedure, allowing for accurate on-site assessments. These findings support the implementation of stifle joint assessments as a valuable component of field necropsies to improve disease detection and enhance diagnostic accuracy.
