Associations between physiotherapy findings and subsequent diagnosis of pelvic or hindlimb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds.

The research study aims to explore whether physiotherapy assessments can predict the occurrence of pelvic or hindlimb fractures in racehorses within a one-month period. The study uses retrospective data from Thoroughbred racehorses and indicates that certain physical signs such as pelvic bone asymmetry, muscle atrophy of the quarters, and spasms or tenderness on palpation of the gluteal muscles are significantly linked to the later diagnosis of these fractures.

Research Methodology

• The study is a retrospective one, utilizing both veterinary and physiotherapy data obtained from a group of Thoroughbred racehorses situated in Newmarket, United Kingdom.
• The research employs a case-control study design to compare physiotherapy assessment findings for horses diagnosed with and without subsequent pelvic or hindlimb fractures.
• To examine and quantify the extent of relationships between physiotherapy findings and subsequent fracture diagnosis, the authors conducted single and multivariable logistic regression analyses. The threshold for statistical significance was set at a P value of less than 0.05.

Results

• The study analyzed a total of 513 horses, yielding 14 fracture cases.
• Certain indications, such as the presence of pelvic bony asymmetry, muscle atrophy in the horse’s hindquarters, reduced dorsi- and/or ventroflexion reflex movements, and spasms or palpable tenderness in the gluteal muscles, demonstrated a significant correlation to a fracture diagnosis in the univariable analysis.
• The multivariable analysis showed horses diagnosed with pelvic or hindlimb fractures were 11.1 times more likely to exhibit pelvic bony asymmetry, 4.7 times more likely to show muscle atrophy in the hindquarters, and 6.6 times more likely to demonstrate spasms or palpable tenderness in the gluteal muscles.

Conclusions

• The results suggest that during a physiotherapy assessment, signs of pelvic bony asymmetry, muscle atrophy of the quarters, and spasms or tenderness on palpation of the gluteal muscles should raise an alert regarding the potential presence of an impending pelvic or hindlimb fracture.
• The study concludes that the early detection of potentially forthcoming pelvic or hindlimb fractures in racing Thoroughbreds could help reduce the incidence of catastrophic fractures.