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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Catastrophic biaxial proximal sesamoid bone fractures in UK ...
Equine veterinary journal2010; 42(5); 420-424; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00079.x

Catastrophic biaxial proximal sesamoid bone fractures in UK Thoroughbred races (1999-2004): horse characteristics and racing history.

Abstract: Catastrophic biaxial proximal sesamoid bone fractures (PSBF) have not yet been described in detail in the UK racing population. Objective: To determine the incidence and relative risk (RR) of PSBF in different types of racing in the UK; and to describe horse-level characteristics and racing histories of horses sustaining these injuries. Methods: Distal limbs were collected from all racehorses suffering catastrophic fractures during racing at all 59 racecourses in the UK, in a prospective study from February 1999 to December 2004. Post mortem investigation identified the anatomical location and type of fracture. Horse, racing history, race and racecourse details were obtained. Characteristics of the horses that sustained PSBF were described. The incidence and RR of PSBF in the different types of racing in the UK were calculated. Results: Thirty-one horses suffered PSBF during the study period. The incidence of PSBF in all types of race was 0.63 per 10,000 starts (31/494,744). The incidence was highest in flat races on all weather surfaces (1.63 per 10,000 starts: 12/73,467; RR = 4.4 when compared to turf flat racing). Affected horses had an average age of 5.6 years and had started a mean of 28 races at the time of fracture. Conclusions: There is a strong association between type of racing surface and PSBF. Horses competing in flat races on all weather surfaces have an increased risk of PSBF. These fractures appear to happen in experienced horses with several starts, with few fractures occurring within the first season of racing. Further research should focus on identification of underlying pathology of these fractures. Epidemiological studies aimed at the identification of risk factors for PSBF in the UK racing population would require a large number of cases acquired over many years given the relatively low incidence of PSBF.
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Publication Date: 2010-07-20 PubMed ID: 20636778DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00079.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 study investigates catastrophic biaxial proximal sesamoid bone fractures (PSBF) in racehorses in the UK, focusing on the relationship between horse characteristics, type of race and racing surface, incidence and risk of PSBF. Results suggest an association between racing surface and occurrence of PSBF, with higher incidences in flat races on all-weather surfaces.

Research Methodology

  • The research was done prospectively from February 1999 to December 2004, whereby distal limbs were collected from all racehorses that suffered catastrophic fractures during races at all 59 racecourses in the UK.
  • Post-mortem investigations were carried out to identify the anatomical location and type of fracture.
  • Information on the horse, its racing history, race and racecourse details were gathered.
  • Characteristics of horses sustaining PSBF were then described, and the incidence and relative risk (RR) of PSBF in different types of racing were calculated.

Research Findings

  • The study observed that 31 horses suffered PSBF during the research period.
  • The incidence of PSBF in all race types was found to be 0.63 per 10,000 starts.
  • The highest incidence of PSBF was observed in flat races conducted on all-weather surfaces, with the rate being 1.63 per 10,000 starts, making the relative risk 4.4 times higher compared to turf flat racing.
  • The affected horses were, on average, 5.6 years old and had participated in around 28 races at the time of fracture.

Conclusions

  • The research concludes a strong correlation between the type of racing surface and the occurrence of PSBF.
  • Horses participating in flat races on all-weather surfaces had an increased risk of encountering PSBF.
  • Most fractures were observed in experienced horses with several race starts, indicating a low occurrence of fractures within the horse’s first racing season.
  • In light of these findings, the researchers suggested further studies targeting the identification of potential underlying pathologies of such fractures.
  • Considering the low incidence of PSBF, the researchers also pointed out that epidemiological studies aimed at identifying risk factors for PSBF in the UK racing population would require many cases acquired over a significant number of years.

Cite This Article

APA
Kristoffersen M, Parkin TD, Singer ER. (2010). Catastrophic biaxial proximal sesamoid bone fractures in UK Thoroughbred races (1999-2004): horse characteristics and racing history. Equine Vet J, 42(5), 420-424. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00079.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 5
Pages: 420-424

Researcher Affiliations

Kristoffersen, M
  • The Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Cheshire, UK. mad.kristoffersen@djursjukhus.com
Parkin, T D H
    Singer, E R

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Distribution
      • Animals
      • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
      • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horses / injuries
      • Incidence
      • Running
      • Sesamoid Bones / pathology
      • Sports
      • Time Factors
      • United Kingdom / epidemiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 10 times.
      1. Palomino Lago E, Ross AKC, McClellan A, Guest DJ. Identification of a global gene expression signature associated with the genetic risk of catastrophic fracture in iPSC-derived osteoblasts from Thoroughbred horses. Anim Genet 2025 Feb;56(1):e13504.
        doi: 10.1111/age.13504pubmed: 39801206google scholar: lookup
      2. Palomino Lago E, Baird A, Blott SC, McPhail RE, Ross AC, Durward-Akhurst SA, Guest DJ. A Functional Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Upstream of the Collagen Type III Gene Is Associated with Catastrophic Fracture Risk in Thoroughbred Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 28;14(1).
        doi: 10.3390/ani14010116pubmed: 38200847google scholar: lookup
      3. Noordwijk KJ, Chen L, Ruspi BD, Schurer S, Papa B, Fasanello DC, McDonough SP, Palmer SE, Porter IR, Basran PS, Donnelly E, Reesink HL. Metacarpophalangeal Joint Pathology and Bone Mineral Density Increase with Exercise but Not with Incidence of Proximal Sesamoid Bone Fracture in Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 24;13(5).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13050827pubmed: 36899684google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.3390/ani12172161pubmed: 36077882google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-14274-ypubmed: 35798766google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.3390/ani11102950pubmed: 34679971google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.1177/10406387211018289pubmed: 34041971google scholar: lookup
      8. Baird A, Lindsay T, Everett A, Iyemere V, Paterson YZ, McClellan A, Henson FMD, Guest DJ. Osteoblast differentiation of equine induced pluripotent stem cells. Biol Open 2018 May 10;7(5).
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      9. Maeda Y, Hanada M, Oikawa MA. Epidemiology of racing injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses with special reference to bone fractures: Japanese experience from the 1980s to 2000s. J Equine Sci 2016;27(3):81-97.
        doi: 10.1294/jes.27.81pubmed: 27703403google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-11pubmed: 24410888google scholar: lookup
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