Analysis of stress fractures associated with lameness in Thoroughbred flat racehorses training on different track surfaces undergoing nuclear scintigraphic examination.
Abstract: There is limited information regarding the impact of training track surface on the occurrence of stress fractures. Objective: To evaluate the impact of training track surface on the proportion of long bone and pelvic stress fractures associated with lameness in Thoroughbred horses in flat race training undergoing nuclear scintigraphic examination. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Scintigraphic examinations of Thoroughbred flat racehorses were evaluated from 2 hospitals (hospital A [Toronto Equine Hospital], 2003-2009, and hospital B [George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania], 1994-2006). Horses admitted to hospital A trained at a single track, at which the main training surface changed from dirt to synthetic on 27 August 2006. Two distinct populations existed at hospital B: horses that trained on dirt (numerous trainers) and those that trained on turf (single trainer). All scintigraphic images were evaluated by a blinded reviewer. Fisher's exact test and logistic regression were used when appropriate, and significance was set at P<0.05. Results: When reviewing 528 scintigraphic examinations from hospital A (257 dirt and 271 synthetic, numerous trainers), there was a greater proportion of stress fractures detected in scintigraphic examinations from horses training on a synthetic surface (31.7%) in comparison to scintigraphic examinations from horses training on a dirt surface (23.0%) at an earlier point in time (P = 0.03). There was a greater proportion of hindlimb/pelvic and tibial stress fractures diagnosed in horses from the synthetic surface-trained group than from the dirt-trained group at hospital A (P<0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that training surface may affect the proportion of stress fractures diagnosed, but other factors, such as training philosophy, appear to be important. Future prospective investigations to fully elucidate the relationship between training track surface and the proportion of stress fractures and other nonfatal musculoskeletal injuries are warranted.
© 2014 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2014-06-11 PubMed ID: 24762263DOI: 10.1111/evj.12285Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses a study conducted to understand the impact of training track surfaces on the prevalence of stress fractures in racehorses. The findings suggest that those training on synthetic surfaces showed a higher rate of such fractures, indicating that the type of training surface might be a relevant factor. However, the study also indicates the need for further investigation as there may be other influencing elements including training methodologies.
Objectives and Methodology of the Research
- The aim of the study was to determine how the surface of training tracks might influence the occurrence of long bone and pelvic stress fractures in Thoroughbred flat racehorses. These fractures contribute to lameness in the animals and affect their performance.
- The study was retrospective in nature, utilizing previously collected data from two different horse hospitals between the years 1994 and 2009.
- The horses studied were from a hospital in Toronto, where they trained at a single track that initially had a dirt surface, but was changed to a synthetic one in 2006, and another hospital associated with the University of Pennsylvania, where the horses either trained on dirt or turf surfaces.
- Scintigraphic examinations, or bone scans, were used to identify stress fractures and a blinded reviewer evaluated all the images. Statistical methods, including Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression, were used to analyze the data.
Results of the Study
- Of the 528 bone scans examined from the Toronto hospital, a higher proportion of stress fractures were found in horses training on synthetic surfaces (31.7%) compared to those training on dirt surfaces (23.0%).
- In fractures categorized specifically as hindlimb/pelvic and tibial stress fractures, the proportion was again greater among horses trained on the synthetic surface.
Conclusions Drawn from the Research
- From this study, it can be inferred that the surface of the training track could influence the proportion of stress fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses, with synthetic surfaces potentially resulting in a higher rate of fractures.
- However, the authors caution that other factors, such as training techniques adopted, may also play a vital role and must be taken into consideration.
- The study concludes by recommending future prospective studies to fully understand the relationship between training track surface, stress fractures, and other non-fatal musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses.
Cite This Article
APA
MacKinnon MC, Bonder D, Boston RC, Ross MW.
(2014).
Analysis of stress fractures associated with lameness in Thoroughbred flat racehorses training on different track surfaces undergoing nuclear scintigraphic examination.
Equine Vet J, 47(3), 296-301.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12285 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Milton Equine Hospital, Campbellville, Ontario, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Fractures, Stress / complications
- Fractures, Stress / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Radionuclide Imaging / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Running
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Bowers K, Weinhandl JT, Anderson DE. A review of equine tibial fractures.. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):171-181.
- Morrice-West AV, Hitchens PL, Walmsley EA, Whitton RC. Track Surfaces Used for Ridden Workouts and Alternatives to Ridden Exercise for Thoroughbred Horses in Race Training.. Animals (Basel) 2018 Nov 26;8(12).
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