Caudal lumbar vertebral fractures in California Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racehorses.
Abstract: To gain insight into the pathophysiology of equine lumbar vertebral fractures in racehorses. Objective: To characterise equine lumbar vertebral fractures in California racehorses. Methods: Retrospective case series and prospective case-control study. Methods: Racehorse post mortem reports and jockey injury reports were retrospectively reviewed. Vertebral specimens from 6 racehorses affected with lumbar vertebral fractures and 4 control racehorses subjected to euthanasia for nonspinal fracture were assessed using visual, radiographic, computed tomography and histological examinations. Results: Lumbar vertebral fractures occurred in 38 Quarter Horse and 29 Thoroughbred racehorses over a 22 year period, primarily involving the 5th and/or 6th lumbar vertebrae (L5-L6; 87% of Quarter Horses and 48% of Thoroughbreds). Lumbar vertebral fractures were the third most common musculoskeletal cause of death in Quarter Horses and frequently involved a jockey injury. Lumbar vertebral specimens contained anatomical variations in the number of vertebrae, dorsal spinous processes and intertransverse articulations. Lumbar vertebral fractures examined in 6 racehorse specimens (5 Quarter Horses and one Thoroughbred) coursed obliquely in a cranioventral to caudodorsal direction across the adjacent L5-L6 vertebral endplates and intervertebral disc, although one case involved only one endplate. All cases had evidence of abnormalities on the ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies consistent with pre-existing, maladaptive pathology. Conclusions: Lumbar vertebral fractures occur in racehorses with pre-existing pathology at the L5-L6 vertebral junction that is likely predisposes horses to catastrophic fracture. Knowledge of these findings should encourage assessment of the lumbar vertebrae, therefore increasing detection of mild vertebral injuries and preventing catastrophic racehorse and associated jockey injuries.
© 2014 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2014-10-09 PubMed ID: 25138232DOI: 10.1111/evj.12334Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research studied the nature of lumbar vertebral fractures in Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racehorses, particularly how they take place and any pre-existing conditions that could predispose the horses to such injuries. It found that these fractures usually occur in horses with existing anomalies at the L5-L6 vertebral junction, suggesting early detection may help prevent serious injuries to horses and associated risks to jockeys.
Objectives and Methods
- The primary objective of this study was to better understand the occurrence and causes of lumbar vertebral fractures in racehorses by analyzing data on these injuries in California.
- To meet this objective, the researchers carried out a retrospective review of post-mortem reports and jockey injury records.
- They also conducted a prospective case-control study involving detailed examinations of vertebral specimens from six affected racehorses and four control horses euthanized due to non-spinal fractures. These examinations involved visual, radiographic, computed tomography, and histological evaluations.
Findings
- Over a 22-year period, such fractures were documented in 38 Quarter Horses and 29 Thoroughbred horses, predominantly involving the 5th and/or 6th lumbar vertebrae.
- The research found that these fractures were the third most common musculoskeletal cause of death in Quarter Horses and frequently resulted in injuries to the jockeys.
- The study observed variations in the number of vertebrae, dorsal spinous processes, and intertransverse articulations in the lumbar vertebral specimens examined.
- In the six assessed case specimens, fractures followed a distinctive path from the front-bottom (cranioventral) to the rear-top (caudodorsal) direction across the L5-L6 vertebral endplates and the intervertebral discs. However, one case involved only a single endplate.
- All cases displayed abnormalities on the ventral aspect (the underside or belly side) of the vertebral bodies indicating pre-existing pathology.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that lumbar vertebral fractures typically occur in racehorses with pre-existing pathology at the junction of the 5th and 6th lumbar vertebrae (L5-L6).
- This identification offers critical information for early detection and management of such conditions, which could aid in preventing catastrophic injuries in racehorses and their associated jockeys.
Cite This Article
APA
Collar EM, Zavodovskaya R, Spriet M, Hitchens PL, Wisner T, Uzal FA, Stover SM.
(2014).
Caudal lumbar vertebral fractures in California Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racehorses.
Equine Vet J, 47(5), 573-579.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12334 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
- J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
- Comparative Pathology Graduate Group, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
- J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
- J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, San Bernardino, USA.
- J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries
- California / epidemiology
- Case-Control Studies
- Female
- Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
- Fractures, Bone / mortality
- Fractures, Bone / pathology
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Humans
- Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
- Lumbosacral Region
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Running
- Spinal Diseases / epidemiology
- Spinal Diseases / pathology
- Spinal Diseases / veterinary
- Sports
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