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Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(6); 1064-1075; doi: 10.1111/evj.13536

Bone stress injuries and fatigue fractures of the pelvis in endurance horses.

Abstract: Bone stress injuries and fatigue fractures of the pelvis are reported in only a small number of endurance horses. Objective: To describe bone stress injuries and fatigue fracture of the pelvis in endurance horses trained and competing on the deep sand surfaces. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records of horses used for endurance and diagnosed with bone stress injuries and/or fatigue fractures of the pelvis by ultrasound were reviewed. The bone stress injuries and fatigue fractures were classified as affecting the iliac wing, the iliac shaft, the tuber ischiadicum, the rest of the ischium or the pubis and subdivided into four fracture configurations: isolated iliac fracture, isolated fracture of the floor of the pelvis, isolated tuber ischiadicum fracture and multiple fractures. Descriptive statistics were performed overall and on fracture configurations for age, sex, breed, level of activity, affected limbs, previous injuries, development of the injury, seasons in the UAE, physical and dynamic findings and outcome. For each fracture configuration and the outcome, multivariable logistic regression models were developed after univariable logistic regression and collinearity analyses. Significance was set at P ≤ .05. Results: Sixty endurance horses were included; 48% (95% CI: 36%-61%) had isolated iliac fracture, 17% (7%-26%) isolated fracture of the floor of the pelvis, 15% (6%-24%) isolated tuber ischiadicum fracture and 20% (10%-30%) had multiple fractures. Breed (OR, 4.42; 95%CI, 1.02-19.57) was significantly associated with isolated iliac fracture and asymmetry of bone landmarks (OR, 7.42; 95% CI, 1.47-37.45) with isolated tuber ischiadicum fracture. Degree of lameness (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.07-8.9) and trotting on three tracks (OR, 8.62; 95% CI, 1.43-51.9) were significantly associated with the diagnosis of isolated fracture of the floor of the pelvis. Conclusions: Data acquired in a single country. Conclusions: Bone stress injuries and fatigue fractures of the pelvis can affect endurance horses trained and competing on deep sand. Isolated bone stress injuries and/or fatigue fractures of the ileum were the commonest followed by multiple pelvic bones involvement. The presence of lameness and trotting on three tracks suggest the presence of bone stress injuries and/or fatigue fractures of the floor of the pelvis; asymmetry of bony landmarks is more commonly detected in horses with bone stress injuries and/or fatigue fractures of the tuber ischiadicum.
© 2021 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-17 PubMed ID: 34738269DOI: 10.1111/evj.13536Google 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 research article investigates the occurrence of bone stress injuries and fatigue fractures in the pelvis of endurance horses, primarily focusing on those trained on deep sand surfaces. The study also identifies signs associated with specific fracture configurations.

Methods

  • The study was carried out as a retrospective case series, looking back at the medical records of endurance horses diagnosed with bone stress injuries and/or pelvic fatigue fractures using ultrasound.
  • The injuries and fractures were categorized based on the area of the pelvis impacted: the iliac wing, the iliac shaft, the tuber ischiadicum, the rest of the ischium or the pubis. These were further divided into four configurations: isolated iliac fracture, isolated pelvic floor fracture, isolated tuber ischiadicum fracture, and multiple fractures.
  • Features like age, sex, breed, level of activity, affected limbs, previous injuries, injury development, UAE seasons, physical and dynamic findings, and outcomes were examined using descriptive statistics.
  • To find associations between fracture configuration and outcome, multivariable logistic regression models were created.

Results

  • Out of the 60 endurance horses included in the study, 48% had isolated iliac fractures, 17% had isolated pelvic floor fractures, 15% had isolated tuber ischiadicum fractures, and 20% had multiple fractures.
  • Breed was significantly associated with isolated iliac fractures, while asymmetry in bone landmarks was associated with isolated tuber ischiadicum fractures.
  • A higher degree of lameness and horses trotting on three tracks were significantly associated with the diagnosis of an isolated pelvic floor fracture.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that bone stress injuries and fatigue fractures of the pelvis can occur in endurance horses trained and competing on deep sand. Isolated injuries or fractures of the ileum were the most common, followed by multiple pelvic bone involvement.
  • The presence of lameness and horses trotting on three tracks suggested the presence of bone stress injuries and/or fatigue fractures of the pelvic floor. In contrast, the asymmetry of bony landmarks is more common in horses with injuries and/or fractures of the tuber ischiadicum.

Cite This Article

APA
Puccetti M, Beccati F, Denoix JM. (2021). Bone stress injuries and fatigue fractures of the pelvis in endurance horses. Equine Vet J, 54(6), 1064-1075. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13536

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 6
Pages: 1064-1075

Researcher Affiliations

Puccetti, Massimo
  • Dubai Equine Hospital, Zabeel, Dubai, UAE.
Beccati, Francesca
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sport Horse Research Centre, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Denoix, Jean-Marie
  • CIRALE-EnvA NEV, Unité INRAE-EnvA, Goustranville, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnosis
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Fractures, Multiple / veterinary
  • Fractures, Stress / etiology
  • Fractures, Stress / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Pelvis / diagnostic imaging
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sand

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