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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / A review of equine tibial fractures.
Equine veterinary journal2022; 55(2); 171-181; doi: 10.1111/evj.13599

A review of equine tibial fractures.

Abstract: Equine tibial fractures are relatively infrequent in racing and non-racing sport horses, but limitations in successful treatment of tibial fractures in adult horses result in relatively high mortality compared with other musculoskeletal injuries. The aetiology of tibial fracture can be classified into two general categories: traumatic impact or fatigue failure. Tibial stress fractures, also known as fatigue fractures, are often rated as the second most common stress fracture in racing Thoroughbreds; young age, early stage in race training, and initiation of training after a period of rest are the reported risk factors. Both impact and fatigue fracture propagation are dependent on the magnitude of force applied and on the local composition/alignment of mineralised collagen in the tibial lamella. Extensive research has characterised the pattern of strain distribution and stress remodelling within the equine tibia, but in vivo measurement of load and angular moments are currently not feasible. Further research is warranted to correlate biomechanical theory of tibia fatigue fracture propagation with current histopathological data. Preventative measures for fatigue fractures aim to optimise diagnostic efficiency, reduce the interval between injury and diagnosis and modify racing and training conditions to reduce non-specific fracture risk. Treatment options for complete tibial fractures in adult horses are limited, but with careful case selection, successful outcomes have been reported after open reduction and internal fixation. On the other hand, tibial stress fractures and minimally displaced incomplete fractures are typically treated conservatively and have good prognosis for athletic recovery. This review aims to describe the current literature regarding tibial fracture aetiology, prevalence, risk factors, fracture biomechanics, treatment, prognosis and prevention.
© 2022 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-06-15 PubMed ID: 35569040PubMed Central: PMC10084381DOI: 10.1111/evj.13599Google 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.

The study examines equine tibial fractures, their cause, treatment, and prevention strategies. The paper states that while these fractures aren’t frequent, they pose a challenge due to their high mortality rate and limited treatment options.

Aetiology and Prevalence of Equine Tibial Fractures

  • Equine tibial fractures are not common in horses involved in both racing and non-racing sports. However, when they do occur, they result in a relatively high mortality rate due to the challenges in treating such fractures.
  • The reasons for these fractures are generally split into two categories: traumatic impact and fatigue failure. The latter, also known as fatigue fractures or tibial stress fractures, ranks second in terms of common stress fractures in racing Thoroughbreds.
  • The occurrence of these fractures is influenced by factors such as the animals’ youth, the early stage of their race training, and the start of their training after a period of rest.

Biomechanical Factors and Strain Distribution

  • The spread of both impact and fatigue fractures depends on the extent of the force applied and the local composition or alignment of mineralised collagen in the tibial lamella.
  • Several research studies have detailed the pattern of strain distribution and stress remodelling within the equine tibia. However, in vivo measurement of the load and angular moments is not currently feasible.
  • Further research is necessary to associate the biomechanical theory of tibia fatigue fracture spread with the existing histopathological data.

Preventative Measures and Treatment Options

  • Precautionary strategies for fatigue fractures focus on enhancing diagnostic efficiency, shortening the time between the injury and diagnosis, and adjusting racing and training conditions to decrease the risk of non-specific fracture.
  • Treatment options for complete tibial fractures in adult horses are limited. However, successful outcomes have been achieved following open reduction and internal fixation in selected cases.
  • On the contrary, tibial stress fractures and slightly displaced incomplete fractures are generally treated conservatively and have a good prognosis for athletic recovery.

Cite This Article

APA
Bowers K, Weinhandl JT, Anderson DE. (2022). A review of equine tibial fractures. Equine Vet J, 55(2), 171-181. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13599

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 2
Pages: 171-181

Researcher Affiliations

Bowers, Kristin
  • Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
Weinhandl, Joshua T
  • Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
Anderson, David E
  • Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Fractures, Stress / diagnosis
  • Fractures, Stress / veterinary
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
  • Tibial Fractures / veterinary
  • Tibial Fractures / epidemiology
  • Tibial Fractures / etiology
  • Sports
  • Prognosis
  • Horse Diseases / therapy

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