Accuracy of distal limb fracture diagnosis at British racecourses 1999-2005.

The study examined the accuracy of veterinary diagnoses of fatal limb fractures in racehorses in Great Britain from February 1999 to August 2005, in comparison with postmortem results of the injuries. Despite good initial racecourse injury identification, more precise identification of all fractured bones was not as accurate, even after the implementation of a computerised recording system. The study suggests the use of on-site digital radiography to improve the accuracy of diagnoses of racecourse fractures.

Objectives and Methodology

• The main aim of this research was to compare the accuracy of on-site veterinary diagnoses of fatal distal limb fractures (DLF) in racehorses with postmortem (PM) examination results, between February 1999 to August 2005.
• The secondary aim was to evaluate whether the introduction of a computerised recording system improved diagnostic accuracy.
• The research included a postmortem examination of limbs below the radius or tibia, from all racing injuries resulting in death in British racecourses in the mentioned period.

Results of the Study

• The overall incidence of fatal DLF in all types of races during this period was 0.63 per 1000 starts.
• The type of race with the lowest frequency was flat racing on turf (0.34 per 1000 starts).
• The type of race with the highest frequency was national hunt flat races (1.56 per 1000 starts).
• There was an observed reduction in fatal DLF in steeplechase racing compared from previous reports: from 2.3 to 1 per 1000 starts.
• The racecourse veterinarians were able to correctly identify the presence of fractures over 93% of the time.
• However, identification of all fractured bones in each case was less accurate, being correct less than 55% of the time.
• The implementation of a computerised recording system significantly did not improve the accuracy of the diagnoses.

Implications and Recommendations

• The rate of fatal DLF incidents hasn’t significantly changed since the 1970s, despite advancements in veterinary care and health management for racehorses.
• In order to improve the diagnosis of racecourse fractures, the researchers suggest the introduction of digital radiography at the course itself, which could provide more detailed and accurate information about the fractures in real-time.