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Topic:Injury
Injury in horses encompasses a range of physical traumas that can affect various tissues and structures, including bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries can arise from numerous causes, such as accidents, overexertion, or improper handling. Common types of equine injuries include fractures, sprains, strains, and lacerations. The management and treatment of these injuries require an understanding of equine anatomy and biomechanics, as well as appropriate veterinary care. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries in horses, providing insights into their impact on equine health and performance.
Superficial digital flexor tendon healing: ultrasonographic evaluation of therapies. Until recently, it was difficult to critically evaluate tendon healing in vivo. Superficial digital flexor tendon injuries were considered healed when the injured tendon was cold, non-painful, adequate time had passed for tendon healing to occur, and no recurrence of the injury was detected when the horse returned to athletic work. This article discusses how ultrasonography has revolutionized the diagnosis, treatment, and management of tendon injuries.
Concentration of collagen, aggrecan and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in synovial fluid from equine middle carpal joints. The aim of the present investigation was to study the metabolic activity of the third carpal bone and the release of COMP, aggrecan and collagen type II molecules in the synovial fluid as a result of injury. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), aggrecan and collagen type II or fragments of these molecules released to the synovial fluid and serum (COMP) were quantified in samples from 73 left equine middle carpal joints from 2 breeds with different activity profiles (52 Standardbred trotters [STB] and 21 Swedish Warmblood riding horses [SWH]) and different articular cartilage lesions. Sy...
Joint moments in the distal forelimbs of jumping horses during landing. Tendon injuries are an important problem in athletic horses and are probably caused by excessive loading of the tendons during demanding activities. As a first step towards understanding these injuries, the tendon loading was quantified during jump landings. Kinematics and ground reaction forces were collected from the leading and trailing forelimbs of 6 experienced jumping horses. Joint moments were calculated using inverse dynamic analysis. It was found that the variation of movement and loading patterns was small, both within and between horses. The peak flexor joint moments in the coffin a...
Proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis in 22 horses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new method of internal fixation technique for pastern arthrodesis. Pastern arthrodeses are performed commonly in horses with chronic osteoarthritis of the pastern joint or, in cases of acute traumatic injury to the pastern, in which the weightbearing bony column must be restored. Chronic osteoarthritis of the pastern is a frequent cause of lameness in the equine athlete and is evidenced by chronic lameness localised to the pastern joint, and supported radiographically by periosteal proliferation and loss of joint space. Nonsurgical and surgical treat...
Arthroscopic autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty for the treatment of subchondral cystic lesion in the medial femoral condyle in a horse. An 11-year-old, Hungarian half-bred stallion was presented with a history of mixed left hindlimb lameness of 6 months duration. Subchondral bone cyst of the medial femoral condyle and injury of the medial meniscus were diagnosed. Osteochondral autograft transplantation (mosaic arthroplasty) was performed, taking grafts from the less weight-bearing medial border of the medial femoral trochlea of the affected limb, and transplanting them into the cyst during arthroscopy. The lameness was evaluated prior to and one year after the operation with a motion analysis system during treadmill exercise. ...
Use of a bioabsorbable implant for the repair of severed digital flexor tendons in four horses. A new bioabsorbable implant composed of poly-L-lactic acid was used to repair the severed digital flexor tendons of four horses. The limbs were immobilised with distal casts which were changed after six to eight weeks and removed after 12 to 16 weeks. The horses were followed clinically and ultrasonographically for from seven to 19 months after the surgery. The ultrasonographic examination after the cast had been removed showed that the implants had been well incorporated into scar tissue. Two of the horses were mildly lame at the trot seven months after the surgery, but had returned to work a...
Arthroscopic mosaic arthroplasty in the equine third carpal bone. To investigate survival and function of autogenous heterotopic osteochondral grafts in a site where injuries are common. Methods: Three osteochondral grafts were harvested arthroscopically from the femoropatellar joint and transplanted to the third carpal bone (C(3)). Nine months later, histologic, histomorphometric, and biochemical comparisons were made between the transplanted grafts in C(3) and tissue adjacent to the recipient site, the opposing radial carpal bone (C(r)), the donor site in the femoropatellar joint, and the sham-operated contralateral C(3). Methods: One mixed-breed pony and ...
Risk factors for and outcomes of noncatastrophic suspensory apparatus injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. To evaluate effects of toe grabs, exercise intensity, and distance traveled as risk factors for subclinical to mild suspensory apparatus injury (SMSAI) in Thoroughbred racehorses and to compare incidence of severe musculoskeletal injury (MSI) in horses with and without SMSAI. Methods: Nested case-control study. Methods: 219 Thoroughbred racehorses racing or in race training. Methods: Racehorses were examined weekly for 90 days to determine incidence of suspensory ligament injury and monitor horseshoe characteristics. Every horse's exercise speeds and distances were recorded daily. Conditional ...
Survey of arthroscopic surgery for carpal chip fractures in thoroughbred racehorses in Japan. Medical and racing records of 155 Thoroughbred racehorses that underwent arthroscopic surgery for carpal chip fractures were investigated. Articular damage for 98.4% of the fractures was classified as G1 or G2 using McIlwraith's criteria. The rate of return to racing after surgery was 82.6%. Evaluation of racing performance after surgery was attempted using a placing index (PI) based on race finish position. There was no significant difference in the PI distribution between horses that underwent surgery and other healthy horses.
Rodeo related large animal injury: is protective head-gear warranted? To compare rodeo associated large animal injuries to large animal associated trauma from other aetiologies in order to determine whether mandatory protective head-gear during rodeo is warranted. Retrospective analysis related to injury involving large animal admissions between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1995. The setting is at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center, a level 1 trauma centre. All patients admitted with Injury Severity Scores of 1 or higher following large animal associated injuries. There were 140 admissions for which mechanism of injury was known. Thirty-nine oc...
Race-start characteristics and risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. To identify race-start characteristics associated with catastrophic musculoskeletal (MS) injury in Thoroughbred racehorses at 2 racetracks in Florida during 1995 through 1998. Methods: Matched case-control study. Methods: 97 Thoroughbreds (case horses) that incurred a catastrophic MS injury during racing and 388 Thoroughbreds (control horses) randomly selected from noninjured participants and matched on the basis of racetrack and year. Methods: Incidence of MS injury was calculated for all race meets at 2 racetracks in Florida from 1995 through 1998. Race-start characteristics were compared am...
Superficial digital flexor tendonitis in the horse. The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is an elastic structure that during maximal exercise appears to operate close to its functional limits. The biomechanical and biochemical responses to exercise, injury, and healing are still poorly understood but ongoing research is providing valuable new information which is addressed in this review. It appears that the SDFT matures early, after which time it has limited ability to adapt to stress and undergoes progressive degeneration. Focal hypocellularity, collagen fibril degeneration, selective fibril loading and alterations in the noncollageno...
[The syndrome of external ligament sprain in the horse]. The treatment of acute complete (grade III) tears of the lateral ligaments of the ankle has generated much controversy in the medical literature. Functional treatment has become the standard treatment as it has been shown that there is no significant difference in long term results whatever the treatment (operative repair and cast, cast alone, or early controlled mobilization). Functional treatment includes only a short period of protection by tape bandage or brace and allows early weight-bearing. Major trauma with avulsion of bone and severe ligamentous damage on both medial and lateral sides...
Physical, hematological, and exercise response of collegiate female equestrian athletes. Physiological testing is extensively used to assess current physical status, target strength/deficiencies, and determine predisposition to injury in athletes. No studies exist regarding these issues on equestrian athletes. The purpose of this study was to quantify the physical, hematological, and exercise response of female equestrian athletes in order to provided greater insight into the health fitness of this unique competitor, and to compare results to other better studied sport athletes. Methods: Following written informed consent, physiological assessments were performed on 24 collegiate ...
Effect of exercise on the proteoglycan metabolism of articular cartilage in growing foals. In this study, the effect of different exercise regimens on proteoglycan metabolism of articular cartilage was examined in 43 newborn foals randomly divided into 3 groups: a) box-rest, b) box-rest with training and c) free pasture exercise. They were subjected to these exercise regimens from ages 1 week to 5 months and at 5 months, 24 foals (8 from each group) were sacrificed to assess short-term exercise effects. The remaining 19 foals were subjected to the same regimen of light exercise for an additional 6 months before being sacrificed to evaluate possible long-term effects. Articular carti...
Clinical abnormalities detected in post-race examinations of poorly performing Standardbreds. To describe the clinical abnormalities found on post-race examination of poorly performing Standardbreds. Methods: The results of 541 post-race veterinary examinations on Standardbreds were analysed. The horses were selected for examination by the stipendiary stewards on the basis of poor performance from a population of approximately 20,000 runners which competed at Harold Park Paceway, Sydney. Results: Clinical abnormalities were detected on post-race examination in 264 of the 541 poorly performing horses. Some horses displayed more than one abnormality. Twenty three individual abnormalities...
Long-term outcome of horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone treated conservatively: 25 cases (1976-1993). To determine clinical features of horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone and to report outcome of horses in which treatment did not include surgery. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 25 horses (14 Standardbreds, 6 Thoroughbreds, 5 Quarter Horses). Methods: Medical records of horses with a slab fracture of the central (n = 9) or third (16) tarsal bone were reviewed. Only horses for which treatment consisted of confinement to a stall were included in this study. Clinical features and radiographic findings were recorded and summarized. Outcome was determined for raci...
Gait and speed as exercise components of risk factors associated with onset of fatigue injury of the third metacarpal bone in 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. To determine the degree to which components of the training program of 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses influence their susceptibility to fatigue injury of the third metacarpal bone (bucked shins). Methods: 226 two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Daily training information and health reports on 2-year-old Thoroughbreds were compiled from records provided from 5 commercial stables. For each horse, data (exercise variables) were collected that comprised distance jogged (approx speed of 5 m/s), galloped (approx 11 m/s), and breezed (approx 15 to 16 m/s) until a single instance of buc...
Serum parathyroid hormone and calcitonin levels in racehorses with fracture. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) levels in fractured racehorses were measured by radioimmunoassay. Racehorses with fracture of large bone such as the radius, third metacarpus, third carpus, digital bone or tibia, showed normal PTH level and elevated CT level in the serum. Serum PTH level was slightly higher in racehorses with sesamoid bone fracture compared to that of healthy racehorses, but not statistically significant. Moreover, serum CT level of racehorses with sesamoid bone fracture was significantly higher than that of healthy racehorses. Racehorses with sesamoid bone ...
Mechanisms and patterns of injuries related to large animals. Injuries from encounters with large animals represent a significant health risk for rural communities. We evaluated our regional trauma centers' experience with large-animal injuries to determine whether certain mechanisms and patterns of injury predicted either major head/craniofacial or torso (chest/abdomen/pelvis) trauma. Methods: The hospital courses of 145 patients with injuries related to large animals were reviewed retrospectively to determine patterns of injury, specific injury mechanisms, species-specific injuries, and predictors of multiple body region trauma. Results: Seventy-nine p...
Association of high-speed exercise with racing injury in thoroughbreds. To determine the association between high-speed exercise and risk of injury while racing among Thoroughbreds in Kentucky. Methods: Matched case-control study. Methods: 206 Thoroughbreds that sustained a musculoskeletal injury while racing and 412 Thoroughbreds that were not injured during the same races. Methods: Data regarding official timed workouts and races and the Beyer's numbers for the 3 races before the race during which injury occurred were extracted from past performance charts and compared between injured horses and control horses. Results: For injured horses, cumulative distance of...
Effects of density on displacement, falls, injuries, and orientation during horse transportation(1). Three groups of slaughter-type horses, totaling 30 mares and 29 geldings, were used to determine density effects on displacement (distance moved during a stop), falls, injuries, and orientation using a single-deck, open-topped commercial semi-trailer. Each horse was assigned to one of two treatments: high density (1.28 m(2)/horse with 14 horses) or low density (2.23 m(2)/horse with eight horses). Both treatments occurred sequentially on the same day (treatment order was alternated each trial), using the middle 2.44x7.32 m compartment of a large semi-tractor trailer. The horses were transported...
Equestrian injuries: a five year review of hospital admissions in British Columbia, Canada. To determine the demographics of hospital admissions and mortality associated with equestrian activities in the 33,000 riders in British Columbia (BC). Methods: Analysis of admission data from the Ministry of Health for the years 1991-96, review of information obtained from the Office of the Chief Coroner, and comparison of data from Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program. Results: The mean number of admissions per year was 390. Head injury was the most common cause of admission to hospital (20%) in BC. Females most often required admission (62%). Teenagers and children hav...
Jockey injuries in the United States. In the sport of horse racing, the position of the jockey and speed of the horse predispose the jockey to risk of injury. Objective: To estimate rates of medically treated injuries among professional jockeys and identify patterns of injury events. Methods: Cross-sectional survey from data compiled by an insurance broker. Information on the cause of injury, location on the track, and body part injured was evaluated. Methods: Official races at US professional racing facilities (n = 114) from January 1, 1993, through December 31, 1996. Methods: A licensed jockey population of approximately 2700 pe...
Net joint moments and joint powers in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis. To determine whether analysis of net joint moments and joint powers is a suitable technique for evaluation of mechanics and energetics of lameness in horses and to measure effects of superficial digital flexor tendinitis. Methods: 6 sound horses. Methods: Horses were evaluated before (sound evaluation) and after (lame evaluation) induction of superficial digital flexor tendinitis in 1 forelimb by injection of collagenase. Recordings were made with an optoelectronic system and a force plate as horses trotted. Net joint moments and joint powers in the sagittal plane at each joint in the forelimb...
Postoperative performance of racing horses with tearing of the medial palmar intercarpal ligament. To examine the relationship between medial palmar intercarpal ligament (MPICL) tearing and postoperative performance in racing horses. Methods: The postoperative performance of 42 horses in which the midcarpal joint was examined arthroscopically was followed prospectively. Intra-articular variables examined were the severity of MPICL tearing, subchondral bone damage and articular cartilage damage. Using a scoring system based on the class of race and the position in the race, a mean score was calculated for up to five races before and after surgery. The preoperative score was subtracted from t...
