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Home / Equine Research Bank / Aust Vet J / Comparison of distal extremity magnetic resonance imaging fi...
Australian veterinary journal2024; 102(11); 535-542; doi: 10.1111/avj.13372

Comparison of distal extremity magnetic resonance imaging findings in Australian racing Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds.

Abstract: Foot-related lameness is common in Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides information on both the soft tissue and osseous structures of the distal extremity. The aim of this study was to determine whether abnormalities identified on distal limb MRI differed between these two racehorse populations. Methods: The records of Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorse distal extremity MRI examinations conducted at Camden Equine Centre and Ballarat Veterinary Practice between 2013 and 2023 were retrieved. Horses were included if pain causing lameness had been localised to the foot using perineural or intra-articular analgesia. MRI abnormalities of the structures within the distal extremity were recorded and comparisons made between the two groups. Results: There was a significant difference in the rate of occurrence of certain MRI abnormalities between the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorse populations, including distal phalangeal fractures, proximal phalangeal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) hyperintensity (distal aspect), the presence and severity of ungular cartilage ossification, abnormalities of the navicular bone distal border synovial invaginations/vascular channels and navicular bone distal border fragments. The presence of distal extremity STIR hyperintensity and fractures was significantly higher in Standardbred compared to Thoroughbred racehorses when these findings were grouped and considered in combination. Conclusions: There were many similarities in the distal extremity MRI abnormalities identified in lame Australian Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses. However, distal phalangeal fractures, ungular cartilage ossification and distal extremity STIR hyperintensity were identified in significantly more in Standardbred than Thoroughbred racehorses.
© 2024 Australian Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2024-09-28 PubMed ID: 39340248DOI: 10.1111/avj.13372Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Comparative Study

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 study assessed the differences in injuries and abnormalities in the lower extremities of Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses, finding a significantly higher presence of certain types of fractures and other conditions in Standardbred horses.

Study Objectives and Methodology

  • The study aimed to determine if the type of injuries and abnormalities found in the lower extremities of Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses showed any significant difference. The researchers suspected that the different breeds might be more susceptible to certain types of injuries.
  • The study used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) records of these two horse breeds’ lower extremities, collected between 2013 and 2023 at Camden Equine Centre and Ballarat Veterinary Practice.
  • Only horses whose lameness was confirmed, through perineural or intra-articular analgesia, to originate from the foot were included.
  • The researchers took note of any abnormalities in the lower extremities’ structures in the MRI records and compared these between the two breeds of horses.

Findings

  • The study uncovered a significant difference in the prevalence of certain abnormalities between the two racehorse breeds.
  • These included distal phalangeal fractures, proximal phalangeal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) hyperintensity (on the distal aspect), the presence and severity of ungular cartilage ossification, as well as abnormalities in the synovial invaginations/vascular channels and distal fragments of the navicular bone.
  • The research also revealed that the occurrence of distal extremity STIR hyperintensity and fractures was notably higher in Standardbreds as compared to Thoroughbreds. This difference was even more pronounced when these findings were grouped together and considered in combination.

Conclusions

  • Even though there were many similarities in the distal extremity abnormalities found in the two racehorse breeds, certain conditions such as distal phalangeal fractures, ungular cartilage ossification, and distal extremity STIR hyperintensity were significantly more common in Standardbreds than in Thoroughbreds.
  • This study’s findings shed light on the differing health risks and susceptibilities for injury between the two breeds, adding valuable data to inform veterinary care for racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
Stutsel M, Jordan L, Smith C, Lee WY, Symonds N, Bell R, Young A. (2024). Comparison of distal extremity magnetic resonance imaging findings in Australian racing Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. Aust Vet J, 102(11), 535-542. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13372

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 102
Issue: 11
Pages: 535-542

Researcher Affiliations

Stutsel, M
  • Agnes Banks Equine Clinic, Agnes Banks, New South Wales, Australia.
Jordan, L
  • Agnes Banks Equine Clinic, Agnes Banks, New South Wales, Australia.
Smith, C
  • Agnes Banks Equine Clinic, Agnes Banks, New South Wales, Australia.
Lee, W Y
  • Ballarat Veterinary Practice, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
Symonds, N
  • Uni Vets Camden, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
Bell, Rjw
  • Uni Vets Camden, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
Young, A
  • Alex Young Specialist Veterinary Imaging, Anstead, Queensland, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
  • Australia
  • Male
  • Female
  • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
  • Retrospective Studies

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