Therapeutic preferences and perceived outcomes for equine subchondral lucencies: An international survey

Summary Background Subchondral lucencies (SCLs), also referred to as subchondral cystic lesions or osseous cyst‐like lesions, are associated with lameness and reduced performance in horses. Management options are diverse, evidence is heterogeneous and direct comparisons are limited; current therapeutic preferences are poorly described. Objectives To describe therapeutic preferences, perceived outcomes and definitions of treatment success among respondents managing equine SCLs. Study design Cross‐sectional international online survey. Methods A 23‐item Google Forms questionnaire was circulated through professional equine surgery networks. Responses included in the analysis were received between 8 May 2025 and 18 May 2026, including one pilot response. Of 44 submissions, four reported no SCL caseload and were routed to the end; 40 provided quantitative therapeutic data analysed descriptively. Reporting followed CHERRIES. Results Respondents represented Europe, North America, South America and Oceania; most had more than 10 years of professional experience. Screw placement alone was frequently selected across all anatomical locations, and screw placement combined with an orthobiologic adjunct was also reported. Corticosteroids, arthroscopic procedures, conservative management and transcortical approaches were selected with variable frequency. The most common definition of treatment success was return to training with continued sound athletic performance. Main limitations The sample was small, self‐selected and based on reported preferences rather than verified clinical outcomes. An exact response rate could not be calculated, and the findings should not be generalised beyond the respondent group. Conclusions Among respondents, therapeutic preferences varied across anatomical locations. Screw placement was frequently selected, and functional recovery was commonly considered an important outcome criterion. These exploratory findings support prospective comparative studies using standardised lesion classification, predefined follow‐up intervals and clinically meaningful outcome measures.