Assessment and treatment of equine humeral fractures: retrospective study of 54 cases (1972-1990).
Abstract: Fractures of the humerus were diagnosed in horses at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Twenty-four horses (44.4%) were destroyed after radiographic assessment (mean age of 5.0 years). Surgical treatment was elected in 13 horses (24.1%, mean age of 0.42 years). Conservative management, consisting of prolonged stall rest, was chosen for 17 horses (31.5%, mean age of 2.2 years). In the surgically treated group, 3 foals (23.1%) all less than 2 months of age at the time of fracture and treated with intramedullary stack pinning, survived and became athletically sound. After conservative treatment, 9 (52.9%) horses were considered successful, 4 becoming athletically sound and 5 becoming pasture sound. The mean age at the time of presentation in the 9 horses considered successful was 1.81 years. With current fixation techniques, conservative management of equine humeral fractures appears to be as good an option as surgical treatment.
Publication Date: 1993-05-01 PubMed ID: 8508748DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02944.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses a retrospective study conducted at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital about treatment outcomes for equine (horse) humeral fractures; assessing surgical, conservative and euthanasia-based decisions.
Methodology and Aim
- The authors undertook a retrospective analysis of equine humeral fracture cases that were treated at the University from 1972-1990. Retrospective studies involve reviewing past data and findings, thereby providing a wealth of longitudinal information.
- The goal of the research was to determine the efficacy of different treatment methods – mainly surgical intervention, conservative management consisting of prolonged stall rest, and euthanasia post-radiographic assessment.
Breakdown of Cases
- The researchers covered 54 cases of equine humeral fracture. Each treatment choice was associated with a certain age group, with euthanasia being the choice for older horses -averaging 5 years old, surgery for very young horses – averaging 0.42 years old, and conservative management for slightly older horses – averaging 2.2 years old.
- Out of the total cases, 44.4% (24 horses) were euthanized, 24.1% (13 horses) underwent surgery and 31.5% (17 horses) were managed conservatively with stall rest.
Surgical Outcomes
- In cases where surgical intervention was elected, three foals (23.1%) under the age of 2 months who were treated with intramedullary stack pinning, not only survived but also regained athletic capability.
Conservative Management Outcomes
- After conservative treatment, nine horses (52.9%) had a successful outcome. Of these, four horses became athletically sound again, while five became fit for pasture only. The average age at presentation of these successful horses was 1.81 years.
Final Observations and Conclusion
- The authors concluded, from their retrospective study, that with current fixation techniques, conservative management of equine humeral fractures appears to be as effective as surgical treatment. This finding can influence future treatment decisions, and may support treatment decisions favouring non-surgical management in certain cases.
Cite This Article
APA
Carter BG, Schneider RK, Hardy J, Bramlage LR, Bertone AL.
(1993).
Assessment and treatment of equine humeral fractures: retrospective study of 54 cases (1972-1990).
Equine Vet J, 25(3), 203-207.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02944.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Fracture Fixation / veterinary
- Horses / injuries
- Humeral Fractures / surgery
- Humeral Fractures / therapy
- Humeral Fractures / veterinary
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Mitchell C, Riley CB. Evaluation and treatment of an adult quarter horse with an unusual fracture of the humerus and septic arthritis. Can Vet J 2002 Feb;43(2):120-2.
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