Topic:Trauma
Trauma in horses encompasses physical injuries resulting from accidents, falls, or other external forces. These injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe fractures and internal damage. Trauma can affect various systems within the horse, including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. The response to trauma involves complex physiological processes, including inflammation and tissue repair. Veterinary assessment and management of equine trauma often require a multidisciplinary approach to address immediate care and long-term recovery. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the causes, effects, and treatment strategies for trauma in horses, providing insights into diagnostic techniques, therapeutic interventions, and rehabilitation practices.
Conservative management of 17 horses with nonarticular fractures of the tibial tuberosity. Fractures of the tibial tuberosity (FTT) are caused by direct trauma, and are the second most commonly reported injury in event horses with stifle trauma. Conservative management of horses with FTT has been advocated, but results and prognosis for this method of therapy are unknown. Objective: To report and review the findings of a retrospective study of 17 horses admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital from 1986-2001 with nonarticular FTT that received conservative management. Methods: Subject details, aetiology of the accident, limb affected, degree of lameness at time of admission, size ...
A changing pattern of injuries to horse riders. To describe the demographics and nature of injuries occurring on or around horses, to examine the nature of protective clothing in relation to these injuries, and to compare our data with previously published work in this area. Methods: Patients were identified using the term "sports injury-horse riding" from the departmental database for one calendar year from February 2000. Data were collected regarding demographics, injuries, protective clothing, and outcome. The data were then analysed and compared with the previously published literature. Results: 260 patients' records were analysed. The ...
Retrospective study of primary intention healing and sequestrum formation in horses compared to ponies under clinical circumstances. In accidental wounds, trauma and infection can result in dehiscence of primarily closed wounds and in sequestrum formation when cortical bone is exposed. In experimental studies, it has been shown that second intention healing is faster and occurs with less complications in ponies than in horses. Also, a greater initial inflammatory response was seen in ponies. Based on these experimental data, it was hypothesised that accidental wounds in ponies would heal with a lower incidence of wound dehiscence and/or sequestrum formation compared to horses. A retrospective study of 89 ponies and 422 hors...
Clinical effects of betamethasone and hyaluronan, and of defocalized carbon dioxide laser treatment on traumatic arthritis in the fetlock joints of horses. The clinical effects of intra-articular betamethasone together with hyaluronan (betaM/HA) and treatment with a defocalized carbon dioxide laser on acute traumatic arthritis of the fetlock joint were assessed. The horses in these studies were selected using a thorough lameness examination, including intra-articular anaesthesia abolishing the lameness. This investigation comprised an observer-blind study, including 10 sport horses (10 joints), and a prospective study, including 180 sport horses (333 joints). In both studies, the material was divided into two groups treated with either betaM/HA o...
Horse-related injuries in children. To identify the frequency, spectrum and outcome of horse-related injuries in children. Methods: Retrospective case series of horse-related injuries in children admitted to the Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW) from January 1988 to December 1999, the John Hunter Children's Hospital (JHCH) from January 1991 to December 1997 and deaths reported to the New South Wales Paediatric Trauma Death (NPTD) Registry from January 1988 to December 1999. Methods: Circumstances of injury; helmet use; adult supervision; type and number of injuries identified. Results: 232 children were admitted with horse-r...
Streptococcal meningitis resulting from contact with an infected horse. We report a case of group C streptococcal meningitis in a woman with a history of close animal contact as well as head trauma as a result of a kick by a horse. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures grew Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, as did a throat culture taken from the colt that had kicked her 2 weeks prior to admission.
Use of canaliculorhinostomy for repair of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in a horse. Obstruction of the nasolacrimal outflow pathway in horses is not uncommon. Causes of obstruction include foreign bodies, trauma, and congenital abnormalities. Placement of a nasolacrimal retention stylette may prove challenging.
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...
Surgical treatment of tarsometatarsal joint luxation in a miniature horse foal. A 2-week-old Miniature Horse foal was referred for evaluation and treatment of a luxated right tarsometatarsal joint. Treatment consisted of closed reduction and internal fixation using two partially threaded Steinmann pins placed in normograde fashion through the tuber calcis into the proximal third metatarsus. Traumatic luxation has been reported to occur in the tarsocrural, proximal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints within the equine tarsus. Treatment for luxation of the distal intertarsal joint has not been documented. The treatment method most commonly suggested for tarsal luxation i...
[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...
Treatment of traumatically induced synovial sepsis in horses with gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges. Eight horses with synovial sepsis induced by trauma were treated by arthroscopic/tenoscopic debridement and lavage followed by the implantation of a gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponge. Seven of them responded favourably and were sound six months after treatment. The other underwent a further surgical procedure and recovered. Gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges appear to be a safe and useful adjunct in the treatment of septic joints and tendon sheaths, and have the advantage of being bioabsorbable.
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...
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...
Equine dental disease. Part 3: A long-term study of 400 cases: disorders of wear, traumatic damage and idiopathic fractures, tumours and miscellaneous disorders of the cheek teeth. Of 400 horses referred because of dental disorders, 349 cases were diagnosed as suffering from primary disorders of their cheek teeth. Details of 104 of these cases are presented, including 44 cases with abnormalities of wear, 26 cases with traumatic damage, 24 cases with idiopathic fractures and 10 cases with miscellaneous cheek teeth disorders including oral tumours. The long-term response to treatment was excellent in most cases, even in cases with residual secondary periodontal disease.
Modelling impact-initiated wave transmission through lung parenchyma in relation to the aetiology of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage. Recently we proposed that exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) results from locomotory-impact-induced trauma by impact of the scapula on the chest wall during footfall and the consequent transmission of waves through the lung. A computational model has been developed to demonstrate that wave amplification and focusing occur in the dorsocaudal tip of the lung for waves originating on the anterior subscapular surface. The propagation of an acoustic wave was investigated in a simplified 2-dimensional representation of a vertical anterio-dorsal section of horse lung. It was demonstrated t...
Injuries to polo riders: a prospective evaluation. To assess prospectively the incidence, nature, and severity of injuries to polo riders competing in the 1996 Argentine High Polo season. Methods: Assessment, documentation, and provision of care for all injuries sustained during the 1996 season by one of the authors. Riders were also surveyed retrospectively for their previous polo injuries. Results: 34 riders took part in the study. Nine injuries were sustained prospectively and 55 injuries were reviewed retrospectively (64 total). The injuries were categorised as minor (10), moderate (13), and major (41). Twenty five (39%) injuries occurred ...
Equine dental disease part 1: a long-term study of 400 cases: disorders of incisor, canine and first premolar teeth. A review of 400 horses referred because of dental disorders showed 44 cases to suffer from primary disorders of their incisors and 11 from canine or 1st premolar teeth disorders. The remaining 345 horses suffered from primary disorders of the cheek teeth. Disorders of incisors included traumatic damage to teeth and their supporting bones, retained deciduous, displaced and supernumerary incisors; brachygnathia and abnormalities of wear, with most of the latter disorders being secondary to primary disorders of the cheek teeth Only 3 cases of apical infection of incisors were recognised. Most cas...
Intramuscular desmoid tumor (musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis) in two horses. Intramuscular desmoid tumors (musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis) were discovered in two young adult horses. The tumor in one horse was in the lateral cervical musculature, and that in the second horse occurred in the pectoral musculature. Histopathologic features were similar in both horses and included proliferation of fibroblasts and cells expressing muscle actin (myofibroblasts), with extensive dissecting fibrosis within muscle. These features are similar to those of desmoid tumors in humans, particularly those also known as musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis. Dissection of these lesions reveale...
Comparison of intra-articular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution with rest alone for treatment of horses with traumatic arthritis. To compare effects of intra-articular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution with rest alone for treatment of horses with traumatic arthritis. Methods: 38 Standardbred horses with moderate to severe lameness that resulted from traumatic arthritis. Methods: Horses were stratified on the basis of number of affected joints. In each stratum, horses were allocated randomly to treatment groups (intraarticular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution vs rest only). Treatment was for a period of 3 weeks. Horses were inspected weekly with a final examination 2 to 4 weeks after completion of treatment. ...
[Possibilities for computer tomography of the equine head based on two cases with a fracture of the base of the skull]. For the past 2 years computed tomography is used at the Veterinary School, University of Zürich. This new imaging modality enables the detection of abnormalities occurring in small and large animals which were previously not visible with imaging techniques. Subjects of this study were a foal and a small pony, both with suspected head trauma. Routine radiography could not explain any of the neurological deficiencies. In the first case a basilar skull fracture along with a focal brain hemorrhage was detected, in the second case multiple basilar skull fractures were seen. The computed tomographi...
Injuries to riders in the cross country phase of eventing: the importance of protective equipment. To determine the distribution of injuries in the eventing discipline of equestrian sports and the effectiveness of the protective equipment worn. Methods: Data on all injuries sustained in the cross country phase over fixed obstacles were collected from 54 days of competition from 1992 to 1997. This involved 16,940 rides. Results: Data on a total of 193 injuries were collected, which included two deaths. This represents an injury rate of 1.1%. Head and facial injuries represented the largest group (31%), with one third of these requiring treatment in hospital. All riders were wearing protectiv...
Nonsurgical treatment of suprascapular nerve injury in horses: 8 cases (1988-1998). To determine the outcome of horses with suprascapular nerve injury treated with stall rest alone. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 8 horses. Methods: Information on signalment, history, limbs affected, severity of lameness, degree of muscle atrophy, gait abnormalities, and results of radiography and electromyography was obtained from medical records. All horses were treated with stall rest. Follow-up information on severity of lameness, gait abnormalities, degree of muscle atrophy, time between injury and resolution of gait abnormalities, and outcome was obtained during reexaminati...
Immediate and persistent complete heart block following a horse kick. Nonpenetrating chest trauma has been reported to cause acute and transient disorders of impulse formation and propagation, including intraventricular conduction delay and heart block. We report a case of immediate and sustained complete heart block following blunt chest injury.
Use of a temporary indwelling ureteral stent catheter in a mare with a traumatic ureteral tear. A 4-year-old primiparous Thoroughbred mare was referred for treatment of uroperitoneum subsequent to dystocia. Hematologic and serum biochemical analyses revealed values consistent with those reported for foals with uroperitoneum. Exploratory celiotomy revealed the source of the uroperitoneum to be a rent in the right ureter proximal to the trigone of the bladder. Substantial accumulation of urine in the tissues surrounding the ureter prevented accurate identification and repair of the defect, so a temporary indwelling ureteral stent catheter was inserted. Three weeks later, the stent catheter...
Equestrian injuries in the paediatric age group: a two centre study. This study's objective was to examine the nature, cause and frequency of injury resulting from equestrian sport in paediatric patients attending two accident and emergency departments. We recorded the attendances of patients aged less than 16 years with equestrian-related trauma in 1 year. Demographic details, injury, mechanism of injury, rider experience and use of protective equipment were noted. There were 41 attendances (39 female, two male, median age 12 years). Thirty-one were injured while mounted, 10 while dismounted. The commonest group of injuries were soft tissue injuries of the low...
Physical therapy for the equine back. Before a physical therapy and rehabilitation program is suggested, the end requirement must be considered. All physiotherapeutic machines are subject to laboratory screening. In the United States, the approval of the Food and Drug Administration is required; in the United Kingdom, certification by the National Physics Laboratory has been required by law since January 1996. Laboratory experiments are continually conducted to examine and evaluate the effects on tissues of varied electrical waveforms, low-intensity electrical currents, sound waves, and light rays delivered by a variety of therape...
Medical management of back pain. The most common causes of back pain and their medical treatment are discussed. These include: dermatologic problems and conditions resulting from saddle trauma; discomfort and stiffness owing to injured paraspinal muscles; pain associated with supraspinous ligament damage; osseous pain and nerve dysfunction related to the spine and sacroiliac area; and neurologic diseases that can manifest as back pain. Bitting problems, cervical pain, and coexisting lameness are also considered.