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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet J / Catastrophic fracture of the lateral condyle of the third me...
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2006; 171(1); 157-165; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.10.009

Catastrophic fracture of the lateral condyle of the third metacarpus/metatarsus in UK racehorses – fracture descriptions and pre-existing pathology.

Abstract: The characteristics of, and pre-existing pathology associated with 75 cases of fatal lateral condylar fracture sustained by Thoroughbreds while racing in the UK were described. Cases were identified from 220 cases of fatal distal limb fracture submitted as part of studies designed to identify risk factors for all fatal distal limb fractures. Fractures were most common in hurdle races and affected the right forelimb twice as often as the left forelimb. Fracture dimensions were similar to previous reports, however there was a much greater prevalence of articular and diaphyseal comminution and of concurrent fractures in the current report. Pre-existing pathology was particularly common in the medial and lateral parasagittal grooves of the distal articular surfaces of the third metacarpus/metatarsus. The degree of this pathology was not associated with horse age, length of career or number of career starts.
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Publication Date: 2006-01-24 PubMed ID: 16427592DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.10.009Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research focuses on examining the causes and characteristics of lethal lateral condylar fractures in Thoroughbreds during races in the UK. The study analysed 75 cases from 220 fatal distal limb fractures, finding that these fractures were most common in hurdle races, and occurred more frequently in the right forelimb. Pre-existing pathologies were observed in many cases, particularly in specific areas of the joints of the horse’s limbs.

Study Methodology and Sample

  • The research employed an analysis of 75 cases of fatal lateral condylar fractures from a collection of 220 cases of severe distal limb fractures.
  • The cases under review were identified via studies investigating risk factors for all cases of fatal distal limb fractures amidst the UK’s Thoroughbred racehorse population.

Main Findings and Observations

  • The fractures under consideration were most frequent in hurdle races.
  • In particular, the right forelimb received twice the incidence of fractures compared to the left forelimb.
  • Though the dimensions of the fractures were consonant with earlier reports, the current investigation found a significantly higher prevalence of articular and diaphyseal comminution, in which the bone breaks into several pieces.
  • The study also noted that concurrent fractures, or multiple fractures occurring at the same time, were more common than what was reported in earlier research.

Pre-existing Pathologies

  • One primary concern was the high prevalence of certain pre-existing pathologies in horses that experienced these fractures.
  • Commonly afflicted areas were the medial and lateral parasagittal grooves of the distal articular surfaces of the third metacarpus/metatarsus – in more simple terms, the inside and outside grooves near the joints of a horse’s limb.
  • Interestingly, the presence and severity of these pathologies showed no correlation with the horse’s age, its career length, or the number of career starts, suggesting that they were not primarily a result of wear and tear, or increased racing activity.

Cite This Article

APA
Parkin TD, Clegg PD, French NP, Proudman CJ, Riggs CM, Singer ER, Webbon PM, Morgan KL. (2006). Catastrophic fracture of the lateral condyle of the third metacarpus/metatarsus in UK racehorses – fracture descriptions and pre-existing pathology. Vet J, 171(1), 157-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.10.009

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1090-0233
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 171
Issue: 1
Pages: 157-165

Researcher Affiliations

Parkin, T D H
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Leahurst, Neston CH64 7TE, UK. timp@liv.ac.uk
Clegg, P D
    French, N P
      Proudman, C J
        Riggs, C M
          Singer, E R
            Webbon, P M
              Morgan, K L

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Athletic Injuries / etiology
                • Athletic Injuries / mortality
                • Athletic Injuries / pathology
                • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
                • Fractures, Bone / etiology
                • Fractures, Bone / mortality
                • Fractures, Bone / pathology
                • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
                • Horses
                • Likelihood Functions
                • Metacarpus / injuries
                • Metatarsus / injuries
                • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
                • Physical Conditioning, Animal / mortality
                • Risk Factors
                • Running / injuries
                • United Kingdom

                Citations

                This article has been cited 23 times.
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