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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / A 10-year study of arthroscopic surgery in racing Thoroughbr...
Equine veterinary journal2019; 52(2); 225-231; doi: 10.1111/evj.13145

A 10-year study of arthroscopic surgery in racing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses with osteochondral fragmentation of the carpus.

Abstract: Osteochondral fragmentation of the carpus is a common cause of lameness in racehorses. Prognosis following arthroscopic removal of the fragments was reported in 1987, but little is known of recent success rates. Objective: To identify associations between the severity and location of osteochondral fragments in the carpus, and to describe the racing performance of horses pre- and post-surgery in Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. To identify factors associated with a horse racing post-surgery. Methods: Retrospective study of clinical records (2006-2016). Methods: Surgical and racing records for racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery of the carpus were collated during the 10-year study period. Signalment, location of osteochondral fragmentation and grade of defect left after removal and debridement identified and racing performance pre- and post-surgery were described, stratified by breed. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with unsuccessful return to racing. Results: In total, 828 horses (n = 416 Quarter Horses; n = 412 Thoroughbreds) underwent 880 carpal arthroscopies after fragments were found on radiography. Sixty-five percent (n = 289) and 27% (n = 118) of the lesions were bilateral in Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds respectively (P<0.001). In both breeds, the most commonly affected bone was the dorsodistal radial carpal bone (n = 320/659; 48.6%). Overall, 82% (n = 686; n = 358 Quarter Horses, n = 328 Thoroughbreds) of horses raced post-surgery, with 69.5% (n = 476; n = 228 Quarter Horses, n = 248 Thoroughbreds) racing at the same or a higher level of competition. Factors associated with horses not returning to racing post-surgery were increasing horse age, female horses, and a lesion grade of 4, while racing pre-surgery was protective. Conclusions: This study does not include a control population for comparison. Conclusions: There were significant differences between the location and severity of lesions in Quarter Horses, when compared to Thoroughbreds. The majority of horses return to racing following surgery, although performance was influenced by lesion severity. The Summary is available in Portuguese - see Supporting information.
© 2019 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-25 PubMed ID: 31230383DOI: 10.1111/evj.13145Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates the associations between the severity and location of osteochondral fragments in the carpus of racing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. It also seeks to describe the pre- and post-arthroscopic surgery racing performance of these horses and identify factors that may influence their return to racing post-surgery.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers undertook a retrospective study of clinical records from 2006 to 2016.
  • Surgical and racing records for racehorses that underwent arthroscopic surgery of the carpus—a joint in the front limbs of the horse—were examined over this 10-year study period.
  • Details such as the horse’s breed, the location of the osteochondral fragments, the grade of the defect left after removal and debridement, and the horses’ racing performance both pre- and post-surgery were documented and analyzed.
  • Using these details, logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors linked to an unsuccessful return to racing.

Study Findings

  • A total of 828 horses (416 Quarter Horses and 412 Thoroughbreds) underwent 880 arthroscopic procedures during the study period.
  • Osteochondral fragment abnormalities were bilateral—occurring on both sides—in 65% of Quarter Horses and 27% of Thoroughbreds.
  • The most frequently affected bone in both breeds was the dorsodistal radial carpal bone.
  • 82% of the horses (comprising 358 Quarter Horses and 328 Thoroughbreds) raced post-surgery, with 69.5% (228 Quarter Horses and 248 Thoroughbreds) competing at the same or a higher level than before their surgeries.
  • Factors associated with a decrease in the success of returning to racing post-surgery included an increase in horse age, female gender, and a lesion grade of 4, while horses that raced pre-surgery more often returned to the races.

Study Conclusions

  • The study did not have a control population to make a comparison.
  • Significant differences were found between the location and severity of lesions in Quarter Horses when compared to Thoroughbreds.
  • The majority of horses successfully returned to racing following surgery, though performance was influenced by the severity of the lesion.

Cite This Article

APA
Graham RJTY, Rosanowski SM, McILWRAITH CW. (2019). A 10-year study of arthroscopic surgery in racing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses with osteochondral fragmentation of the carpus. Equine Vet J, 52(2), 225-231. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13145

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 2
Pages: 225-231

Researcher Affiliations

Graham, R J T Y
  • Equine Hospital, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Rosanowski, S M
  • Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
McILWRAITH, C W
  • Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Centre, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
  • Equine Medical Centre, Cypress, California, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arthroscopy / veterinary
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Radiography
  • Retrospective Studies

Grant Funding

  • Horseracing Betting Levy Board

References

This article includes 23 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Schild CO, Nyaoke A, Asin J, Henderson EE, Blea JA, Stover SM, Uzal FA. A retrospective study of radial fractures in racehorses in California, 2006-2022. J Vet Diagn Invest 2025 Jul 23;:10406387251336267.
    doi: 10.1177/10406387251336267pubmed: 40702641google scholar: lookup
  2. Seewald LA, Sabino IG, Montney KL, Delco ML. Synovial fluid mitochondrial DNA concentration reflects the degree of cartilage damage after naturally occurring articular injury. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2023 Aug;31(8):1056-1065.
    doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.03.013pubmed: 37028640google scholar: lookup
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